Blackburn Rovers chief John Eustace praised the quality shown by Hull City in their 1-0 win at Ewood Park as the Tigers ended 2024 with a second win in three Championship games.

Ryan Longman's first City goal in more than two years 13 minutes from time earned a first away win in eight games for Ruben Selles to move them out of the relegation zone, while Rovers were left to rue a missed opportunity to cement their play-off spot.

While Selles' side rode their luck in the Lancashire rain, Abu Kamara also saw a dubious goal ruled out for offside, while the influential Gustavo Puerta hit a post in what was a dramatic finish.

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Though Eustace was naturally frustrated at his side missing a couple of gilt-edged chances which saw Todd Cantwell and Owen Beck miss the target, the manager linked with the MKM Stadium job before it went to Selles, was full of praise for the Tigers who gained revenge for their 1-0 unfortunate loss to Rovers earlier this month.

"We created a couple of big chances and we had to be clinical. It was never going to be pretty, and we need to defend the box better in the second half," he said. "Everyone is very disappointed to lose the game. Overall, the lads kept going, the attitude was good but we have to move on to the next one.

"The effort the lads put in a few days ago was excellent and to go again is always a big ask but it was the same for both teams. We created two or three golden chances, which we had to put away, but we didn't. Hull are a very good team with some good individuals, and if you don't defend the box properly, as we didn't, they'll score.

"Hull set up very well, they're difficult to play against as we knew they would be. They limited our chances but we picked a team to be more direct.

"Maybe it didn't work out as much as we wanted but we still had a few chances to score. Both teams looked a bit nervous on the pitch but that might be playing a couple of days after big games.

"It is a different game if we score but that is the Championship, everyone could say that every week, if only that had happened. It's important not to be too disappointed. The boys have been fantastic this year, and we go into 2025 in the top six, which is very exciting.

"They work so hard for each other and the team, the club. They're fantastic to work with and they have a togetherness. Today wasn't our day; if we'd been more clinical, we could've had at least a point. We don't want to lose the game, but that's the Championship, and you can't get carried away with highs or lows."