Hull v Bournemouth
Abel Hernandez hits double as Hull beat Bournemouth
Abel Hernandez struck twice as Hull beat Bournemouth 3-1 to secure a first Premier League win since early November and climb off the foot of the table.
Uruguay international Hernandez scored in each half after Junior Stanislas' early penalty had given Bournemouth the lead, with Tyrone Mings' own goal in the second period giving Hull a two-goal cushion.
The Tigers registered their first top-flight win in 10 matches in head coach Marco Silva's first league game in charge and exacted sweet revenge on Bournemouth, having been thrashed 6-1 by the visitors in October.
Hull received clearance in time for new signings Oumar Niasse and Evandro to make their debuts off the bench in the second period, while Hernandez was making his first start since returning from a two-month layoff due to hernia surgery.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, criticised by a section of Cherries fans for making 11 changes for last week's FA Cup defeat at Millwall, made nine more in reverting back to his regular lineup and handed goalkeeper Artur Boruc his 100th Premier League appearance.
Hull, whose last league success had been a 2-1 home win against Southampton on Nov. 6, made a wretched start, falling behind in the third minute to Stanislas' penalty after Harry Maguire had bundled over Ryan Fraser in the area.
Referee Martin Atkinson did not hesitate to point to the spot and Stanislas lashed his penalty into the roof of the net.
Hull were lucky not to fall 2-0 down in the 22nd minute when Benik Afobe failed to capitalise after Michael Dawson had misjudged the bounce of a ball over the top.
The home side had not had one effort at goal before Robert Snodgrass volleyed over from 30 yards just after the half-hour mark, but having played second fiddle they turned the game around with a 32nd-minute equaliser.
Andrew Robertson swung over a brilliant cross and Hernandez, also on target in last week's FA Cup win against Swansea, headed home his first league goal since August.
Momentum quickly swung Hull's way and they could have gone in at the break in front but Ryan Mason's shot was blocked by Ryan Fraser and Sam Clucas pulled an effort wide.
Five minutes into the second half though, the Tigers went ahead. Snodgrass fed Hernandez on the right edge of the area and the striker jinked inside before unleashing a thumping left-footed shot beyond Boruc and inside the far post.
Mason went close with a rising 25-yard effort as Hull continued to dominate and their enterprise was further rewarded in the 62nd minute when Tom Huddlestone's shot from the edge of the area was inadvertently turned home by Mings.
Bournemouth gathered themselves and Jack Wilshere was denied twice in quick succession by Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, who kept out shots from just inside the box, the second at full stretch.
Hull's new Brazilian signing Evandro replaced Snodgrass to make his debut midway through the second half before Bournemouth right-back Adam Smith spurned another chance for the visitors after being played in by Wilshere.
Two-goal hero Hernandez was given a rousing send-off when replaced by Everton loanee Niasse in the closing stages as Hull held on for victory and kept their survival hopes alive.
Game Information
- Referees:
- M Atkinson
- Martin Atkinson
English Premier League Table
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 35 | 23 | 7 | 5 | +41 | 76 |
| Manchester City | 34 | 21 | 8 | 5 | +37 | 71 |
| Manchester United | 35 | 18 | 10 | 7 | +15 | 64 |
| Liverpool | 35 | 17 | 7 | 11 | +12 | 58 |
| Aston Villa | 35 | 17 | 7 | 11 | +4 | 58 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 35 | 12 | 16 | 7 | +3 | 52 |
| Brentford | 35 | 14 | 9 | 12 | +6 | 51 |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 35 | 13 | 11 | 11 | +7 | 50 |
| Chelsea | 35 | 13 | 9 | 13 | +6 | 48 |
| Everton | 35 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 48 |
| Fulham | 35 | 14 | 6 | 15 | -5 | 48 |
| Sunderland | 35 | 12 | 11 | 12 | -9 | 47 |
| Newcastle United | 35 | 13 | 6 | 16 | -2 | 45 |
| Leeds United | 35 | 10 | 13 | 12 | -5 | 43 |
| Crystal Palace | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | -6 | 43 |
| Nottingham Forest | 35 | 11 | 9 | 15 | -2 | 42 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 35 | 9 | 10 | 16 | -9 | 37 |
| West Ham United | 35 | 9 | 9 | 17 | -19 | 36 |
| Burnley | 35 | 4 | 8 | 23 | -36 | 20 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 35 | 3 | 9 | 23 | -38 | 18 |

