TAME TIGERS
Hull 0 Sunderland 2: Billy Jones and Jermain Defoe inflict first home loss in three years on Marco Silva
Tigers suffer huge blow in their fight for survival against the already relegated Black Cats
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HULL'S survival hopes suffered a crushing blow as they were defeated 2-0 at home to already relegated Sunderland.
The Tigers were punished for some slack marking on 69 minutes as Billy Jones struck the opener before Jermain Defoe added a second in injury time.
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That result leaves Marco Silva's side three points clear of safety, but they could be overtaken by Swansea should they defeat Everton later on Saturday evening.
Despite having their fate sealed last week after a home loss to Bournemouth, Sunderland finally gave their fans something to cheer, and inflicted a first home defeat on Silva for three years.
Hull took the game to David Moyes' side, but they found Jordan Pickford in inspirational form in the opposition net.
He was called into action in the first half, pushing away Sam Clucas' fierce drive before he produced a splendid one-handed save to deny Abel Hernandez late on.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
And his efforts were rewarded with little over twenty minutes left as Jones popped up to seal the points.
Goerge Honeyman's corner was flicked on at the near post by John O'Shea, and Jones found himself in acres of space to power home a header.
Then deep into injury time it got even better for the basement boys when an offside-looking Defoe reacted quickest to finish from close-range from a free-kick.
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FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS
- Hull’s January signing Alfred N’Diaye was lining up against his old club. He looks a better player for the Tigers than he ever did during his time at Sunderland in 2013-14.
- The away faithful waited until 16 minutes before their first chant of ‘We want Moyesy out’. Sunderland owner Ellis Short has asked David Moyes to continue managing the club and the Scot is considering it.
- George Honeyman was making just his second league start for Sunderland. The 22-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but is likely to be part of the Black Cats’ plans for the Championship.
9Marco Silva suffered his first home loss since March 2014Credit: PA:Press Association 
9Jermain Defoe added Sunderland's second in the dying seconds of the matchCredit: Rex Features - Moyes left Adnan Januzaj out of his squad. His loan spell from Manchester United has been a disaster.
- Hull will have a fight on their hands to keep some of their English stars this summer. Harry Maguire and Sam Clucas are both courting attention from Premier League clubs.
- Jordan Pickford will surely leave Sunderland in the summer. The young England keeper made two incredible saves in the second half to further boost is already glowing reputation.
- Jermain Defoe has now not scored in 11 Sunderland games – a goal drought which stretches back to February. He wasted three good chances here.
9Billy Jones thundered a header home to give Hull the lead on 69 minutesCredit: Reuters 
9Hull City's keeper Eldin Jakupovic speaks to Harry Maguire after falling behind against SunderlandCredit: Reuters 
9Jermain Defoe's strike was his first goal in 11 matches for SunderlandCredit: PA:Press Association - The Tigers are the only Premier League side not to score against Sunderland this season.
- Billy Jones’ 69th-minute opener was Sunderland’s first headed goal this league campaign. It was also their first away goal since February.
- This was the first home league match Hull boss Marco Silva has lost since March 2014.
BIG PICTURE
REMAINING FIXTURES
Hull City:
Sun May 14 - Crystal Palace (A) - PL
Sun May 21 - Tottenham (H) - PL
Sunderland:
Sat May 13 - Swansea (H) - PL
Tue May 16 - Arsenal (A) - PL
Sun May 21- Chelsea (A) - PL
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Hull: Jakupovic 6, Elmohamady 6 (Goebel 86, 5), Ranocchia 6, Maguire 6, Robertson 6, Markovic 6 (Huddlestone 65, 6), N'Diaye 5 (Mbokani 77, 5), Clucas 6, Grosicki 6, Hernandez 6, Niasse 6
Subs not used: Maloney, Dawson, Henriksen, Marshall
Sunderland: Pickford 8, Jones 8, Kone 7, O'Shea 8, Manquillo 7, Ndong 7, Denayer 7, Honeyman 6 (Larsson 79, 7), Borini 7, Defoe 7, Anichebe 7
Subs not used: Mannone, Djilobodji, Rodwell, Khazri, Love, Gooch
SOCIAL SAYS
WHAT THEY SAID
Sunderland defender Billy Jones, speaking to Sky Sports: “It's nice to give the fans something to cheer about.
“People will have been looking to see how we'd perform and react [after relegation] and I think we showed character.
“Obviously the fans will be with us next season and if get a good and big squad together sure I'm sure we'll do well.”
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe: “The last few games I thought we have done well to be honest.
“If we had been a little bit more prolific in front of goal it might have changed things.
“It was important we gave something back to the fans. It's frustrating because if only we'd have done that earlier. We have showed a lot of character to put in a performance like that.”
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