HULL City must find a win at Barnsley if they are to seal their Premier League return tomorrow after promotion rivals Watford claimed a valuable 2-1 victory at Leicester City tonight.
Although a Leicester win would have sent the Tigers up this evening, Watford turned the pressure up on the Tigers when holding their nerve at the King Power Stadium.
First half goals from Troy Deeney and Nathaniel Chalobah sent the impressive Hornets racing clear and while Harry Kane pulled a goal back for the home side, third-placed Watford clung on to close the gap on City to just one point.
A Tigers win at Oakwell tomorrow would finish Gianfranco Zola's men off once and for all, but anything less would ensure the race for second-spot would drag into the final weekend.
"I am very proud," said Zola. "We put a performance on the pitch that was special in the first half.
"I knew we would hang on. The team was motivated and didn't want to give up anything.
On the promotion race, he added: "Nothing is certain. We have done what we had to do but now we must wait. We are doing everything possible to extend the season."
Watford showed no sign of the nerves that stifled the Tigers in their 0-0 draw with Bristol City seven days ago, taking a giant leap towards victory with two goals inside as many minutes late in the first half.
Deeney's close range finish broke the deadlock before Chalobah produced a stunning moment of magic to double the Hornets' lead.
Kane gave Leicester and Steve Bruce's City hope when reducing the deficit on the hour mark, but Watford showed resolve in the final third to hang on.
Although a Leicester win would have sent the Tigers up this evening, Watford turned the pressure up on the Tigers when holding their nerve at the King Power Stadium.
First half goals from Troy Deeney and Nathaniel Chalobah sent the impressive Hornets racing clear and while Harry Kane pulled a goal back for the home side, third-placed Watford clung on to close the gap on City to just one point.
A Tigers win at Oakwell tomorrow would finish Gianfranco Zola's men off once and for all, but anything less would ensure the race for second-spot would drag into the final weekend.
"I am very proud," said Zola. "We put a performance on the pitch that was special in the first half.
"I knew we would hang on. The team was motivated and didn't want to give up anything.
On the promotion race, he added: "Nothing is certain. We have done what we had to do but now we must wait. We are doing everything possible to extend the season."
Watford showed no sign of the nerves that stifled the Tigers in their 0-0 draw with Bristol City seven days ago, taking a giant leap towards victory with two goals inside as many minutes late in the first half.
Deeney's close range finish broke the deadlock before Chalobah produced a stunning moment of magic to double the Hornets' lead.
Kane gave Leicester and Steve Bruce's City hope when reducing the deficit on the hour mark, but Watford showed resolve in the final third to hang on.