Hull's overcame 10-man Stoke 2-1 at the KC Stadium to lift themselves out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone. It was only City's third league win of the season and the result might just be enough to keep Phil Brown in work, for the short term at least.

The performance of Jimmy Bullard, on his long-awaited home debut after 10 injury-ravaged months, was inspirational.

Bullard said: "We thoroughly believe in the manager and the staff and we want him to stay.

"I believe he will - and hopefully for a long time. He is a great man and a great manager."