Hull City gave their survival hopes a timely boost with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at the KC Stadium this evening.
Michael Dawson headed home the only goal of the game in the first half to send the Tigers four points clear of the relegation zone, all but ending Liverpool's Champions League hopes in the process.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed on a significant evening at both ends of the table.
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HULL
Goal
Steve Harper: Made one very good stop to deny Henderson and a couple of other smart saves in the first half. The vast majority of the nine Liverpool shots on target were comfortable for the veteran, though. Handling was a little suspect at times, but it never proved costly. (7/10)
Defence
James Chester: A solid presence at the back, contributing to Hull's superb defensive performance. Barely put a foot wrong throughout. (7/10)
Michael Dawson: Led the way with a towering performance in defence, putting himself about and not allowing Liverpool any joy in the final third. Also cropped up with the only goal of the game - his first for the club - to clinch three priceless points for his side. (8/10)
Paul McShane: Another important part of the stubborn central defensive three that largely nullified the attacking threat of Liverpool. (7/10)
Midfield
Ahmed Elmohamady: Had Sterling in his back pocket for most of the game, continually showing the youngster inside and into traffic. Provided the assist with a pinpoint cross and was always a useful outlet to relieve pressure. (8/10)
Tom Huddlestone: Did an important and impressive job protecting his defence, with very little coming through the middle for Liverpool. Also came close with a beauty of a volley late on. (7/10)
Jake Livermore: Another who ensured that the middle of the park was too crowded for Liverpool to operate in. Made things very difficult for the visitors throughout. (7/10)
Stephen Quinn: An important cog in the machine, even if others will hog the headlines. Was heavily involved and put in a big contribution both on and off the ball. (7/10)
Robbie Brady: A real threat down the left, particularly in the first half. Played as a wing-back and had one or two problems with Ibe in the first half, but can be happy with both his defensive and attacking performance overall. (8/10)
Attack
Sone Aluko: A very lively performance. Produced plenty of tricks and flicks that, more often than not, came off to put Liverpool on the back foot again. The end product wasn't always there, but he held the ball up well and provided a constant threat in the final third. (8/10)
Dame N'Doye: Was a handful for Liverpool's defenders and may feel that he should have got his name on the scoresheet early on with a clear header inside the box. (7/10)
Substitutes
Gaston Ramirez: A late substitution for Quinn and did a decent job relieving pressure now and again, but couldn't find Rosenior in acres of space in stoppage time. (6/10)
Alex Bruce: Brought on with four minutes remaining as Hull looked to defend their lead in the closing stages. (6/10)
Liam Rosenior: Another defensive change, this time in the 90th minute, partly to wind down the clock and partly to get another body back there for the hosts. (6/10)
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LIVERPOOL
Goal
Simon Mignolet: Could do nothing about Dawson's header and was one of the few Liverpool players who can be happy with his performance. Was commanding in the air, often taking the pressure off his defenders. Also made a fabulous double save in the first half. (7/10)
Defence
Emre Can: Played at right-back and, while he looks imposing in possession, his defensive shortcomings were exposed on more than one occasion by Brady especially in the first half. (5/10)
Martin Skrtel: Stood up to the aerial challenge of Hull fairly well, but had his hands full with N'Doye and Aluko all evening. (6/10)
Dejan Lovren: One or two shaky moments, particularly against the slippery Aluko. Certainly not his worst display in a Liverpool shirt, though. (6/10)
Glen Johnson: Gave the ball away too many times inside his own half and struggled to contain Elmohamady when he came forward. Was a threat himself in the opposition half on occasion, particularly with one enterprising run at the end of the first half, but ultimately couldn't make the difference. (5/10)
Midfield
Jordan Henderson: One of few players who showed the intensity expected of a side needing to win to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Lacked the guile to find a way through the Hull defence but did show good movement to link up with Coutinho well on a couple of occasions, including once when he drew a fine stop from Harper. (6/10)
Joe Allen: Ended up being the last line of defence on a couple of occasions, working very hard to get back when Hull were breaking. Not much from him in terms of creativity, though. (6/10)
Philippe Coutinho: Comfortably Liverpool's best outfield player. Was the only one who looked like he had the quality to pick a way through the Hull defence, but it wasn't a battle he could win on his own. (7/10)
Attack
Jordon Ibe: Had a bright first half going forward, testing Brady's defensive capabilities and getting to the byline on a couple of occasions. Faded in the second half before being taken off, however. (6/10)
Mario Balotelli: His lack of runs in behind the defence contributed to the congestion in the middle of the park. Looked to be pumped up when he reacted angrily to a tackle in the opening exchanges but, one inventive backheel attempt aside, he offered very little. (5/10)
Raheem Sterling: Was forced inside far too many times when Liverpool needed to stretch the game. Very rarely beat his man and grew increasingly frustrated as he failed to get the better of the defenders time after time. (4/10)
Substitutes
Adam Lallana: Replaced Ibe and showed one or two glimpses of joining Coutinho as a creative force, but that never materialised. (5/10)
Rickie Lambert: Came on at the same time as Lallana in place of Balotelli, but offered just as little as the Italian. (5/10)
Lazar Markovic: Almost earned a chance for himself by pouncing on a loose ball inside the area, but was just denied at the last second. (6/10)
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