Mail columnist Brad Rial finds plenty to cheer after Hull City's stunning win over Liverpool
What a difference a week makes and best ever home win?
Now, I'm not one to brag, but last week I said that I wouldn't bet against Hull City getting a result against Liverpool. And how they did!
It's amazing what a difference a week can make in football. This time last week, City fans were down in the dumps following a dismal showing against Crystal Palace.
Against Liverpool, though, the improvement was clear for all to see. City played not only with heart and determination, but also a confidence and quality that was clearly lacking in the previous two games.
City have had some great wins over the years at both Boothery Park and the KC Stadium, but yesterday's result might just top the lot.
It's not every day your team turns over one of the biggest clubs in England, indeed the world, and it is a match that will live long in the memory for many a City fan.
The KC isn't exactly renowned for it's atmosphere, but yesterday it was positively rocking. Here's hoping that City fans can create a similar atmosphere for the home games to come.Sagbo supreme
It's hard to pick a man of the match following such a complete team performance but if I had to give it to someone it would be Yannick Sagbo.
Sagbo did everything expected of him and more; the only thing lacking was a goal. Despite being caught offside a few times in the opening stages, he grew into the game and provided City with a real presence up front.
His willingness to make runs and his ability to bring teammates into the game really allowed City to gain a foothold in the game.
Sagbo ran Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel ragged and didn't give them a moment's peace all game. He set up Tom Huddlestone for the third goal and should really have scored himself moments earlier when clean through.
It didn't prove costly, though, and the rapturous reception he received when he was substituted tells you all you need to know. He was immense.Defence brilliant – in particular Figueroa and Bruce.
I lost count of the amount of times Maynor Figueroa intercepted the ball yesterday.
Figueroa has gone about his business in a calm and unfussy manner since he arrived in the summer but yesterday he stood out for all the right reasons.
His anticipation and timing in the tackle was first class and he was the pick of a tremendous defensive bunch.
One man who ran him very close was Alex Bruce.
When City fans saw his name on the team sheet before the game, they'd have been forgiven for fearing the worst, especially when you consider the man he was to be toe-to-toe with, Luis Suarez.
But it's no exaggeration (okay, maybe a slight one) to say that Bruce had him in his back pocket.
It's a credit to Bruce (and to the colossus that is Curtis Davies, who will be sorely missed at Arsenal after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season) that Suarez barely had a sniff of goal all game.
He had one or two chances, of course; a world-class player of Suarez's stature is never going to be kept completely quiet. But City were never really carved open by the Liverpool frontline and for that Bruce deserves as much credit as his defensive colleagues.Huddlestone made to wait
It seems that Tom Huddlestone may have to wait at least another few days before booking that barber's appointment.
As much as I'd like to give him that third goal, I think it will have to go down as an own goal from Martin Skrtel.
After a bit of a dip in performance level in recent weeks, Huddlestone was back to his best yesterday and he was a central cog in the City machine.
His midfield partner Jake Livermore also continues to impress alongside him and there can be no denying his goal that got City on their way yesterday.
It was a great strike – albeit helped in via the aid of a deflection – and hopefully it can be the first of many in a City shirt. Get him signed up in January, Brucie!Confidence boost ahead of Wednesday
Yesterday's result makes Wednesday's trip to the Emirates look that little less daunting, but City still head to the capital as massive underdogs.
Arsenal are looking like the complete side at the minute and it would be a huge shock if City were to replicate the performance of the 2008 side who, of course, triumphed so brilliantly against all odds.
But, few would have predicted that City would beat Liverpool yesterday, so you never know – stranger things have happened!![Get Adobe Flash player]()
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