Hull City played host to Manchester United this afternoon knowing that only a win would do if they were to stand any chance of not being relegated from the Premier League.
As it was, Steve Bruce's men were unable to find a way past their visitors at the KC Stadium, with the game ending in a 0-0 draw, which means that the Tigers will be playing their football in the Championship next term.
Find out how the encounter unfolded with Sports Mole's minute by minute text updates.
Afternoon all. It's D-Day for everybody connected with Hull City. Failure to beat Manchester United at the KC Stadium will see them relegated to the Championship. Even a win might not be enough to save them, but at least it will put pressure on Newcastle United, who play host to West Ham United on Tyneside. Our focus, though, will be firmly on events at Hull. Can the Tigers pull off the great escape?
First of all, let's take a look at the teams news, starting with the home side. Which 11 players has Steve Bruce picked to keep Hull in the Premier League?
HULL XI: Harper; Dawson, Chester, McShane; Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Meyler, Quinn, Brady; N'Doye, Jelavic
HULL SUBS: McGregor, Rosenior, Bruce, Robertson, Hernández, Aluko, Sagbo
Right, Bruce has decided to stick with the same players that performed admirably, but were ultimately defeated, last time out at Tottenham. It means that Nikica Jelavic and Dame N'Doye will continue their partnership up front, with David Meyler keeping his place in midfield at the expense of the suspended Jake Livermore. As has become the norm, it's a 3-5-2 formation from Bruce.
And now for visiting United...
MAN UNITED XI: Valdes; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Rojo; Blind, Herrera; Di Maria, Mata, Young; Rooney
MAN UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, McNair, Blackett, Fellaini, Januzaj, Van Persie, Wilson
For the first time this season, Man United will be without David de Gea between the posts. The goalkeeper, who is widely expected to join Real Madrid this summer, has a hamstring injury, which means that Victor Valdes will deputise. Elsewhere, Angel di Maria makes his first start since early March at the expense of Marouane Fellaini, who drops down to the bench. There is no Radamel Falcao in the squad following reports that he has been informed by Louis van Gaal that he has no future at the club.
AS IT STANDS!
As that table shows, only a win will do if they are to stand any chance of being a Premier League club next term. A loss or a draw are no good. Were they to win, attention will turn to how Newcastle are faring against West Ham. Due to Hull's superior goal difference, they will survival if they beat United and the Magpies draw.
From United's point of view, there is very little to play for. Barring a huge swing in goal difference, they will finish in fourth space. It's a case of job done for Van Gaal this term, not that he will be taking this game lightly. His team selection shows that he is coming to win this game.
A HELPING HAND? Can Bruce rely on some help from his former employers? As a player, Bruce was a solid influence on the Unite defence for many years, during which time he won three Premier League titles. However, as a manager, he's not fared well at all against the Red Devils. He's not beaten them in 20 games, collecting just four points from a possible 60. Today, he must make personal history, otherwise his team will joining Burnley and QPR in the Championship.
Unsurprisingly, though, Van Gaal was not in a charitable mood during his press conference earlier in the week:
"I have told my players that their manager is a United child but that we have to win, why? Because also for the Premier League and Newcastle United. We have won six points off Newcastle United and I also want from Hull City six points," the Dutchman told reporters.
As for Bruce, here's some of what he has had to say:
"It's always difficult [against United] but we know we're capable if we play to the best of our ability, as we've seen when we beat Liverpool a couple of weeks ago," the 54-year-old told reporters.
"It's been a long, difficult season for us. I hope, a bit like when we got a result against Cardiff to get in the Premier League - it reminds me a lot of that - hopefully our moment is about to come. It's going to be a tall order but we know we've got a chance.
"We didn't expect to be in this position but we are. Let's hope we've got one final twist can go our way."
DE JA VU! Is this an omen perhaps? It was on the final day of the season in 2009 when Hull were battling with Newcastle to stay in the Premier League. Hull's opponents that day? Man United. They may have lost that afternoon, but the Tigers stayed up and Newcastle, under the guidance of interim boss Alan Shearer, went down. They need a more positive result today, but it could be some reason for optimism for those of a Hull persuasion nonetheless.
VIDEO PREVIEW! We've had a look at what the two managers have had to say about this game, but what about the Sports Mole Sofa? Here, our very own Matt Law and Pascal Lemesre put across their opinions:
It seems that a lot of people are keen for Hull to survive today:
Back to Bruce, who has just been talking to Sky Sports News: "As soon as you drive in you know it's a big game. You can feel the size of the game. We need to win, but if we do that we know it might still not be enough. But we've got to get on with our jobs."
Right, the players are starting to slowly filter into the tunnel area at the KC Stadium. There seems to be plenty of nerves among the home fans, but they really need to get behind their side today.
The two teams are now out on the pitch and the handshakes have taken place. Only a couple of minutes now until we are off and running.
KICKOFF! Hosting Hull have 90 minutes to preserve their Premier League status. United, playing in all white, get us underway at the KC Stadium.
SAVE! Bright start from Hull as Brady floats over a cross from the left flank. N'Doye is up early to meet it, but he can only plant his headed effort straight into the hands of Valdes, who saves with ease.
OFF THE BAR! Meanwhile, up the other end, Rooney goes ever so close to making it an uphill task for Hull. He goes for goal 25 yards out, with his rising shot getting the better of home goalkeeper Harper. However, the Tigers are saved by the crossbar.
CHANCE! Another opening for Hull as Huddlestone sends a pass over the top of the Hull defence for an advancing Jelavic. The angle is against the Croatian, so he instead loops a cross up over Valdes, but Valencia retreats in time to head clear the danger. It's been a bright start to this contest by both sides.
CHANCE! Another half chance for the home side as Dawson meets Brady's corner, but the ball skids off the top of his head and flies wide.
After those early flurry of chances, this game has settled down. United are perhaps having more of the possession, but they are doing very little with it in an attacking sense. To Hull's credit, they've been positive so far.
DISALLOWED GOAL! The KC Stadium erupts, but those celebrations are cut short. There's a huge sigh of relief from United's stand-in keeper Valdes as he spills Brady's free-kick. The ball is poked forward by Meyler and then turned in by McShane, but the latter was in an offside position.
SAVE! Within 60 seconds, we've seen the best and the worst of Valdes. Elmohamady leaps highest at the back post to meet Brady's cross. The Egyptian's header looks goalbound, but somehow, diving to his left, Valdes pulls off a fantastic save.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Is it going to be one of those days for Hull?! A corner breaks for Quinn, who drills the ball towards goal. It takes a nick off N'Doye on its way into the net, but the striker is clearly in an offside position. Drama at the KC Stadium!
MAN UNITED SUB: Well, this sums up Di Maria's season in a United shirt. Not quite sure what the problem is, but the Argentine has trudged off injured and been replaced by Adnan Januzaj.
There was a worrying moment for Hull a few moments ago when Jelavic went down following a challenge with Valencia, but he's up and back involved in the action.
There's plenty of goals flying around in the Premier League right now, but sadly for Hull, they cannot follow suit. There's plenty of fans on their phones trying to find out what is happening on Tyneside. Currently, just like here, it's 0-0.
In fact, this match and the one at Newcastle are the only Premier League games that haven't seen a goal yet! Remember, a win for Hull and a Newcastle draw will see the Tigers stay up.
Rooney is a lucky boy! Not for the first time in his career, he's just kicked out an opponent after the ball had gone. On this occasion Brady was on the receiving end, but the referee awards a foul and takes no further action.
This game now has a real end of season feel about it, which isn't good for Hull. They need to up the tempo and intensity. It's been a while since they worked Valdes in the United goal.
CHANCE! An opening for United as Young lifts the ball in the direction of Herrera inside the Hull area. The Spaniard makes a dart towards the loose ball, but he's put off by an advancing Harper and the chance is gone.
There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.
HALF-TIME: HULL 0-0 MAN UNITED
There goes the whistle for break at it's frustration for Hull, who have had the ball in the United net twice, only for both goals to be correctly ruled out for offside.
From the home side's point of view, nothing has changed. They need to win this one. As it stands, Newcastle are being held to a 0-0 draw by West Ham, which means that one goal for Hull will do it. They've created chances in fairness and it's just a case of keeping going after the restart.
As for United, many of their players look as though they would rather be on their holidays. There is very little pace about their play and they've barely worked Harper in the Hull net. Even though there is little riding on this game, you'd expect that Van Gaal will not be happy with his team.
MATCH ACTION! Here's a shot of Hull having one of their two goals ruled out.
RESTART! Hull, who need to win this, get us back underway. Huge 45 minutes ahead for Bruce and his men.
CHANCE! The best chance of the match falls to United and Herrera, who is played through on goal by a neat reverse pass from Mata. However, just as United's Spanish midfielder takes aim, Hull centre-back Dawson throws himself in the way to make the block. How important will that be come the final whistle?
CHANCE! Then, just 60 seconds later, Hull should have taken the lead! Valencia's poor headed clearance falls for Meyler 15 yards from goal, but the Irish midfielder sends his half-volley well wide of the target.
UPDATE! Not good news for Hull because Newcastle have scored through Sissoko and now lead 1-0 against West Ham. It's a big mountain now for Hull, but they need to keep that belief up.
The faces around the KC Stadium are glum - they know that Newcastle have scored. You would imagine that Bruce and his players also know now as well.
BOOKING! The first caution of the match goes to United's holding midfielder Daley Blind for preventing Hull from taking a quick set piece.
MAN UNITED SUB: Second change of the match for the away side and it's Young that comes off, with Fellaini taking his place.
CHANCE! The first move of genuine quality from United this afternoon ends with Mata picking out Herrera - those two are like Tweedledum and Tweedledee in that United midfield! Herrera sidesteps one challenge and then goes for goal with a low strike, which is dragged a couple of inches wide of the target.
Valdes is not doing his hopes of replacing De Gea, should he leave for Madrid, much good today. He's just come flying out to meet Dawson's header, but got nowhere near the ball and ended up having to rely on Valencia to bail him out. What's more, the United keeper clattered his own captain Rooney, who is down and needs treatment.
CHANCE! To be fair to Hull, they are giving their all out there. Elmohamady whips in a dangerous cross from the right, which N'Doye volleys towards goal. His radar is slightly off, though, and the ball drifts wide of the target.
HULL SUBS: A double change for Hull as Hernandez and Aluko come on to replace Chester and N'Doye.
MAN UNITED SUB: Final change of the afternoon for United sees young striker Wilson, who scored twice on his debut against Hull last season, replace Mata.
SAVE! His handling at crosses hasn't been great, but you can't fault Valdes when it comes to making saves. Aluko drills in a cross, which it seems Jelavic has flicked inside the near post. Valdes has other ideas, though, and he gets down well to turn the ball behind for a corner.
RED CARD! FELLAINI (MAN UNITED)
Not long after he came off the bench, Fellaini is back in the dressing room. The United midfielder can have no complaints either because he nastily planted his boot into McShane's leg. Can Hull make their numerical advantage count? Time is running out.
CHANCE! That just about sums this afternoon up for Hull. Valdes pushes clear a cross straight to Hernandez, but with the goal at his mercy, the Uruguayan completely misses his kick.
UPDATE! Sorry Hull fans, you're on your way down to the Championship. Jonas Gutierrez has made it 2-0 to Newcastle and the sadness is there for all to see at the KC Stadium. Moments later, Robertson replaces Meyler.
There will be seven minutes of stoppage time at the end of this game. To be fair, Hull would settle for it ending now.
BOOKINGS! A couple of quick cautions as Hull's Dawson and United defender Smalling are penalised for fouls.
UPDATE! It's full time up at St James' Park and it means that Hull have been relegated.
FULL TIME: HULL 0-0 MAN UNITED - HULL ARE RELEGATED
There was plenty of effort about Hull's play, but ultimately the quality was lacking - not just today but for the entire season. That's why they've been relegated along with Burnley and QPR. It's a disappointing end to the season for the Tigers and now they head into an uncertain summer.
That is all we have time for from the KC Stadium. Thanks for joining Sports Mole this afternoon and throughout the 2014-15 Premier League season. Until next term, goodbye!
