Hull City 2-1 Swansea City: Tigers off bottom after ending 13-game winless streak

Hull City ended a 13-game winless streak as substitute Mason Burstow’s late goal saw off Swansea City and lifted the Tigers out of the Championship relegation zone.

Ruben Selles looked like being denied a first Hull victory in his third game in charge after Harry Darling’s fine header cancelled out Joao Pedro’s deflected opener.

But Hull were the better side throughout and Swansea, who produced arguably their poorest performance of the season, were deservedly beaten when Burstow picked off Lawrence Vigouroux’s loose pass before beating the goalkeeper from 20 yards.

That meant a much-needed maximum for Selles’ new team, who had not tasted victory since 1 October.

They climb from the bottom of the table to 21st, albeit with some of their relegation rivals in action later in the day.

But there was more disappointment for Swansea head coach Luke Williams, whose side drop to 11th having failed to muster any sort of response to last weekend’s dispiriting defeat to Sunderland.

The MKM Stadium has been an unhappy hunting ground for Hull this season, yet they seized the initiative from the outset against sloppy Swansea to claim just a second home success this season.

Hull should have led earlier than they did, Regan Slater shooting wide when unmarked eight yards from goal.

They came even closer when Gustavo Puerta’s fierce drive crashed off the post before rebounding off Swansea goalkeeper Vigouroux and looping just over the bar.

There was an element of luck about the opening goal when it came, as Pedro latched on to Steven Alzate’s pass and saw his shot bounce inside the near post off Ben Cabango, yet there was nothing fortunate about Hull’s lead.

Swansea had been dreadful, but hauled themselves back into the contest thanks to Darling’s excellent header, the centre-back rising to power Josh Tymon’s whipped cross into the bottom corner after a set-piece was only half-cleared.