Shane Long earned a penalty and scored Hull’s second as the Premier League new boys went to 13th and West Brom continue to find themselves in a tough spot.
The visitors started with a bang, as Stephane Sessegnon had a crack at goal from long range and nearly hit the corner but flew it just over. Despite that, it was mostly Hull as the game began to build.
As Hull continued to attack, David Meyler earned a free kick on 12 minutes near the corner flag, and despite the dangerous chance West Brom cleared in the crowded penalty area.
West Brom built their first real attack on 18 minutes, as Thievy Bifouma and Sessegnon built together and it resulted in a shot for Graham Dorrans that was saved well by Allan McGregor and pushed wide.
The home side would rue a huge miss with 25 minutes gone, as Meyler struck a corner with his head at the ground and easily past Ben Foster but also just past the post.
Hull would get their goal though just five minutes later. A ridiculous penalty decision given by referee Chris Foy saw Shane Long bottle himself up in the box but with Craig Dawson defending the visitors were punished anyways. The assistant referee on the near side, who had a great look at it, never flagged a foul.
Nikica Jelavic’s ensuing penalty was saved by Foster well diving to his right, but the first to react was Liam Rosenoir, who headed the ricochet into the net.
Despite the relatively undeserved manner of the lead, the goal lit up the home crowd, and the game exploded open. The ball spent little time in the middle third, and Tom Huddlestone nearly doubled the Hull lead with a stinging shot from the top of the box that required an athletic save by Foster.
There was no respite for the West Brom keeper though, as the ensuing corner would allow the hosts to double up. The initial ball in was cleared, but it came to Jake Livermore who hoofed it back into the box over his head. With the ball high in the air, James Chester won the header and knicked it to Long all alone who poked in from close range for a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, possession remained even but West Brom were lucky not to go down 3-0. Shane Long fired a howitzer that crashed against the post in the 67th minute, with Ben Foster remained rooted to his spot.
As the game progressed through the second half, the heavens opened up and rain came pouring down at the KC Stadium, but Hull City did not let up. West Brom pushed for possession, but were unable to produce much of anything in the finishing department.
The 33 points now for Hull City pushes them ever closer to the magic number of 40 for safety. It’s a strong showing for Steve Bruce, who has produced a sense of belief for future success around the KC Stadium with consistency throughout the season.
For West Brom, they are buried further into the relegation mess. They remain above the zone with just about everyone at the bottom losing today, but they are just three points above the drop.
LINEUPS:
Hull City – McGregor; Rosenoir, Chester, Davies, Elmohamady; Meyler, Huddlestone, Livermore, Aluko (Koren 61′); Jelavic, Long (Quinn 77′).
Goals: Rosenoir 32′, Long 38′
West Brom – Foster; Reid, McAuley (Sinclair 79′), Dawson, Ridgewell, Thievy (Vydra 61′); Morrison, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Sessegnon; Anichebe (Berahino 76′).
