Hull relegated after 0-0 draw with Man United
HULL, England (AP) Hull was relegated after two seasons in the Premier League on Sunday following a 0-0 draw with Manchester United that sent the visitors into the Champions League playoffs.
Hull fans started the season watching their squad, containing 42 million pounds (now $65 million) of new signings, playing in the Europa League. They ended it with tears in their eyes after the team failed to pull off a final-day escape act.
Steve Bruce's side needed to defeat United and also was relying on Newcastle, which began the day two points ahead, failing to beat West Ham. Neither happened, with Newcastle winning 2-0 to give Hull no chance of staying up.
''It's one of those awful, awful experiences,'' Bruce said. ''That's football. There are high and allows and this is a low, low moment.''
Hull dominated most of the match and had two first-half goals disallowed. United goalkeeper Victor Valdes pulled off great saves to deny Ahmed Elmohamady and Nikica Jelavic, and Hull couldn't even score when United was down to 10 men after Marouane Fellaini was sent off in the 77th minute for a studs-first tackle on Paul McShane.
United finished the season in fourth place and must win a two-legged playoff in August to qualify for the group stage of Europe's top club competition.
Angel Di Maria hobbled off with an injury in the 23rd minute in what could prove to be the Argentina midfielder's final appearance for United. Di Maria has mostly been on the bench in the second half of the season and has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Bruce hadn't beaten United, his former club, in 17 years in management and he failed to end that hoodoo. It means Hull ended the season on a winless run of four games, and three points from safety.
''You're desperately upset with the disappointment and the enormity, when it dawns on you that you are no longer in the big league,'' Bruce said.
Queens Park Rangers and Burnley were the other two teams to be relegated.