Hull City No2 Brian Horton says their draw with Chelsea set them up for yesterday's victory over Manchester City.

Hull came flying out of the blocks and dominated a first half in which the impressive Jozy Altidore opened the scoring in the 31st minute with his first Premier League goal.

City struggled to create anything of note, with Bridge managing their first shot on target in first-half injury time, and the hosts were celebrating a two-goal lead nine minutes into the second period.

And what a strike it was, veteran midfielder George Boateng letting fly from 25 yards with a volley that rocketed past Shay Given and gave the Dutchman his first goal of the season.

Emmanuel Adebayor pulled one back five minutes later but the expected City onslaught never really materialised and Hull were left to celebrate a victory that lifted them out of the relegation zone and up to 14th.

Horton, who was in charge of City from 1993 to 95, felt Hull's fast start had set the tone for the victory.

"We got at them, like we did against Chelsea, set a high tempo from the start with the two up front causing problems," he said. "The first half was as well as we've played for a long, long time.

"The Chelsea result has given them confidence and confidence is the magic word in football because all of a sudden we look a completely different side.

"We should have beaten Wolves and to come back and do what they did against two of the best sides in the country is a tremendous testament to the staff and the fans."