Premier League: Nigel Pearson pleased after Leicester end wait for win at Hull
Monday 29 December 2014 08:46, UK
Nigel Pearson praised his side’s resilience after they held on for a 1-0 win at Hull City – their first Premier League victory since September.
Riyad Mahrez’s first-half strike proved decisive as Leicester ended 2014 on a high note to move within three points of Sunday’s opponents and safety.
And Pearson was unequivocal in his relief at finally securing three points for the Premier League’s bottom side.
“All of my team were fighting today, all of them, even the ones who didn’t get on,” Pearson told Sky Sports.
“Credit to Hull though, you would say the same about their group and I think to get ourselves out of the situation that we are in we are going to need different qualities.
“We’ve shown from time to time how good a footballing team we are but we had that little bit of luck and we also worked exceptionally hard today.
“We’ve gone too long without a win and I suppose everybody at some point asks questions about how long it’s going to go on for but we’ve tried to keep things on an even keel throughout the run which is not easy because you can only keep saying the same things so often.
“We needed points and I think it’s hard for players to reproduce performances over the festive period and I think we showed different qualities today.
“But today was a really good result for us, we needed it. It was one of those that people in the media call a ‘must-win’ game I suppose but it was very pleasing.
“I’m really pleased for the players and the fans and I’m sure the owners will be a bit happier today.”
Despite the win, Pearson remains focused on future games and preparing his side for the challenge of retaining their Premier League status.
“We had a bit of luck as well because if I were in Hull’s shoes I’d be thinking ‘what do we have to do to score?’” he added.
“But we’ve had plenty of days like that over the last two or three months and I think the overriding feeling now is relief but we’ve now got to back it up because it can’t be a case of us finding this elusive win and then relaxing.
“We know how tough it is and we are still in trouble at the moment but I think the players will gain a lot of belief in themselves because it was a bit of scruffy match but it was settled by a great goal.”
