ABDOULAYE Faye believes Hull City will march into 2013 playing football fit to grace the Premier League.
The Tigers' outstanding campaign in the Championship hit new heights as they produced a scintillating display to beat Yorkshire rivals Leeds United 2-0 at the KC Stadium.
Second half goals from Corry Evans and David Meyler sealed a first league double over Leeds since 1987-88 and consolidated the Tigers' lofty perch of second in the table.
A new year will be greeted with boundless optimism for Steve Bruce's men after a run of seven games without defeat and Faye wants the standards set to be maintained at Blackpool tomorrow.
"We have confidence about the rest of the season. There is a long way to go but we have a chance and we have confidence. The Championship is not easy and you have to play a lot of games," Faye said.
"We are playing Premier League football. If we keep playing like that, we might be able to go up first or second.
"The team can do well in the second half of the season. Everyone works hard. Sometimes, players come in but this is a good group and that is important. We are very solid together."
A near-faultless December, with five wins and a draw, climaxed with arguably City's most polished performance of Bruce's reign.
Controlled and stylish, City were far too effective for a Leeds side chasing the play-offs, making it 11 victories from 16 games.
Over 23,000, City's biggest gate since February 2011, revelled in the win and Faye said: "We played very well and everyone is very happy, especially with the clean sheet.
"It brings confidence for the team, the club and the supporters. The stadium was full and it was close to a perfect performance.
"We have done well home and away lately but we were very good against Leeds. We knew the fans wanted to win this one so it was good to give them something good."
City's odds for promotion have tumbled dramatically and some bookmakers now have them as second favourites behind league-leaders Cardiff, who they trail by five points.
That shift will bring a greater focus on the Tigers' fortunes in 2013 but having been part of a heavily-scrutinised West Ham United side that won promotion to the Premier League last season, Faye believes there is still no pressure on City.
"Here, we have very young players whereas at West Ham they had Premier League players who cost a lot of money," he said.
"We don't have the same pressure here and we like it. It is good for Hull now as every team is happy to watch us because we are playing good football. We have a chance."
