Last-gasp win earns boss Phil a stay of execution
A LAST-MINUTE winner from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink earned Hull only a third Premier League victory in 33 matches – and probably saved his manager’s job.
Reports suggested boss Phil Brown would have been showed the door by new chairman Adam Pearson had the Tigers failed to beat Tony Pulis’ Stoke.
Matthew Etherington must have sent shivers down his spine after netting a 29th minute opener for Stoke, but Seyi Olofinjana eased the nerves with an equaliser on 62 minutes.
Stoke had Abdoulaye Faye sent off late on before Vennegoor of Hesselink raised the roof with the winner.
Brown opted not to front the media afterwards leaving assistant Brian Horton to excuse him by saying: “He’s having a Guinness, he deserves one.”
Meanwhile, the lowest Premier League crowd of the season of 16,172 saw Wigan and Fulham fight out a 1-1 draw at DW Stadium.
Emmerson Boyce gave the Latics the lead from close range on 14 minutes before Clint Dempsey equalised from the penalty spot on 39 minutes after Hugo Rodallega fouled John Pantsil.