Hull City boss Phil Brown explained why he stood down Jimmy Bullard for last night's 3-2 victory over Everton.

The crucial result was achieved without their talismanic midfielder, who has been outstanding since his return from long-term knee injury.

Brown said: "The lad's in a new area of his rehabilitation.

"It was just a precautionary resting and fortunately it has worked for everybody.

"It now gives me a bit of a headache for Saturday, but they are the kind of headaches you want."