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Palace off the bottom

London - Crystal Palace gave new manager Tony Pulis the perfect welcome present as the Eagles climbed off the bottom of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Hull on Saturday.

Pulis was confirmed as Palace's choice to succeed Ian Holloway just hours before kick-off at the KC Stadium and the former Stoke boss was in the stands to watch his side clinch just their second win of a dispiriting campaign.

Palace, beaten in nine of their previous 11 league matches, looked in trouble again when winger Yannick Bolasie was sent off for a foul on Jake Livermore in the closing stages.

But caretaker boss Keith Millen, who has been in charge since Holloway's departure by mutual consent in late October, signed off with a victory, before Pulis officially takes charge next week, thanks to Bannan's 81st minute strike.

The result lifted Palace into 19th place, within three points of safety, and suggested Pulis's arrival could yet help the south Londoners avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Prior to that late drama it was a forgettable encounter at the KC Stadium, as notable for the home fans' protests against the proposed renaming of the club as anything that occurred on the field.

A large 'WE ARE HULL CITY' banner was paraded around the stands before stewards waged an unsuccessful tug-of-war with the ring leaders.

Owner Assem Allam looks set to proceed with plans to rebrand the side as Hull Tigers, but there was nothing for the locals to roar about as they turned in arguably their limpest display of the season.

Hull were incensed by referee Anthony Taylor after just two minutes when he pulled back play for a clash of heads between Paul McShane and Marouane Chamakh.

George Boyd was in a decent position to advance on goal when the whistle was blown.

Chamakh never fully recovered and was replaced by Cameron Jerome in the 36th minute.

Seven minutes into the second half, Hull created the best chance so far. Boyd found the run of Yannick Sagbo, but the Ivorian hesitated slightly when one on one with Julian Speroni and saw his shot well saved.

With 12 minutes to go, Hull received a major boost when Bolasie saw red for his lunging challenge on Livermore.

But it was the visitors who snatched the points just three minutes later.

Jerome jinked into the box and reached the byline before rolling a cross to Scottish midfielder Bannan, who slid home side-footed to set up an unlikely success.

Hull almost levelled twice in stoppage-time when Livermore's attempt was blocked on the goal-line and Liam Rosenior's follow-up rebounded off the woodwork.


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