Southampton, United Kingdom--Southampton climbed to fifth in the Premier League Saturday as Graziano Pelle ended a 14-game goal-drought in a 2-0 win over Hull City at St Mary's Stadium.
James Ward-Prowse set up the third successive home win converting a second-half penalty after Shane Long, the former Hull striker, had been fouled by Alex Bruce.
While Pelle then made the game safe for the Saints nine minutes from time.
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman had accepted his side had no chance of forcing their way into the top four after defeat at Everton the previous weekend but the south coast club's bid to secure a place in the Europa League remains on course.
Hull are staring in the opposite direction and this defeat left Steve Bruce's side one place and two points above the relegation zone.
Beaten finalists in last season's FA Cup final, Hull have suffered a serious hangover this season.
This was their sixth successive league match without a win and their final six games include tough-looking home matches with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, as well as relegation rivals Burnley, while Hull also face trips to face Tottenham and in-form Crystal Palace.
Hull manager Steve Bruce reacted to the Tigers' 3-1 loss to Swansea last time out by making five changes to his line-up, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Steve Harper and striker Sone Aluko among the new faces drafted in.
AFP
