Source: SKY_Sports
Brown delighted with response
Hull City boss Phil Brown is delighted to have his side's season up and running with a 1-0 win over Bolton at the KC Stadium.
A goal on 61 minutes from Kamel Ghilas was the difference between the sides despite Bolton being the better team for much of the game as the Tigers got their first points of the season.
Brown will not be too concerned by that, however, and is proud of the response his side gave after two defeats in the previous two games.
"There was a lot of pressure on the players today and they responded," Brown told Sky Sports.
"Our season had to start today. Our season has got to be about the likes of the Boltons and the Wolves next week - teams that I feel will probably be in and around where we are.
"So today was a massive three points. They defended valiantly because of the balls that came into our penalty box - somebody's got to put a head on it.
"Fortunately for us it happened to us often enough that we were getting a head on it first as opposed to Kevin Davies or Johan Elmander."
Bolton wasted many chances either side of half-time before a sucker punch goal just after the hour mark rattled the visitors, who failed to regain the full control they had on the match prior to the opener.
"We rode our luck in front of goal, to be fair," Brown admitted.
"But put the shoe on the other foot - we scored a good goal and the lad Ghilas looked a threat so there's a lot of positives to come from today."
The turning point of the match was the introduction of 19-year-old American striker Jozy Altidore, who is on loan from Spanish side Villarreal.
The teenager made an instant impact as his first touch set up the only goal of the game and sent the home crowd into a frenzy, and Brown is sure they will have a new favourite.
"I think the fans will take to him - there's no doubt about it. He's a big bubbly character and he's only 19. He's just literally got off the plane from the USA, landed in London and had a helicopter up to Hull.
"He had a light training session yesterday then probably slept for a good 14 hours and then he was thrown in at the deep end.
"And with his first touch he sets up a goal - so all well and good for the start of his Hull City career and hopefully that will continue for the rest of the season."
