Hull City's dressing room reaction to Championship win over Stoke City speaks volumes

-Credit: (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)


Man of the match hero Kasey Palmer admits the Hull City players were acutely aware of the growing concern amongst supporters before Friday night's 3-1 win at Stoke City.

Palmer spoke before the game about the chorus of boos which greeted last week's 2-0 home loss to Sheffield United. But City recovered well in the Potteries, coming from behind to score three goals in 16 second half minutes to record a first victory under Tim Walter and ease the pressure that had been growing after a winless start.

The deadline day signing from Coventry City scored his first goal and had a big hand in the third, while Regan Slater came off the bench to thump in his first goal in over 12 months, and second at the bet365 Stadium in successive seasons.

READ MORE: What Hull City owner Acun Ilicali did at full time after Hull City's pivotal win at Stoke City

Palmer's first came after his penalty was well saved by Vikor Johnasson, calmly heading in the rebound to level up after Ben Wilmot's thumping first half header.

"To be fair, it's a win that matters, isn't it? I'm happy to get on the scoresheet and it's a big three points," the goalscorer told Sky Sports. "We were more clinical and that's kind of been the problem this season so far, we've been good in the build-up and taking lots of risks, but today, we've been clinical in front of goal and scored three, so we'll take it.

"There's a lot of pressure from the outside, we could all feel it, we could all hear it from the fans in the last home game but that's football and the result changes things a lot and now we can look up the table rather than down it. I think it kick-starts our season now and we've got to follow it up and keep climbing the table."

Slater, meanwhile, admits the win, coming after a long run without one, was hugely significant. The midfielder slammed in the second 13 minutes from time.

"I saw it rising so I knew it was out of reach of him, I got lucky because it was a really bad first touch from me but it was a nice finish and three points, it was big for us. Last season was questionable, definitely not this one," Slater joked. "First half, arguably, we struggled a little bit but the lads stuck at it like we have been in the opening games and it's come good for us."