Sunday 29 May 2016 12:39, UK
Steve Bruce has hailed a moment of Mo Diame magic after he fired Hull back to the Premier League with a stunning strike in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final.
The Senegal international hit home from long-range in the 72nd minute to seal an instant bounce back for the Tigers after they beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at Wembley.
And former defender Bruce - who has now achieved an unprecedented fourth promotion as a manager - was full of praise for Diame's contribution.
"We had enough chances and you're wondering if it was going to be one of those days," the manager told Sky Sports.
"But to win it with a goal like that - that bit of quality can decide a big game - and Diame has produced a bit of magic to win us the match.
"We seemed to have so many good chances and I'm thinking to myself are we relying too much on Abel [Hernandez] as usual but thankfully Diame, who has had his critics this year, has come up with a wonder strike and I am delighted for him."
Hull captain Michael Dawson was also keen to heap the praise on his teammate's effort, and also mentioned the fine work of Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.
"Twelve months ago, it was tears of disaster and relegation but they are tears of joy now," he added. "This group of players deserve to be in the Premier League.
"With Mo Diame's goal, that's the kind of quality we've got and what finish. That's what we needed because the goalkeeper for Wednesday was unbelievable and put in world-class saves to keep them in the game. He was magnificent."
Curtis Davies also put in a solid shift alongside his skipper and helped the Tigers hold on to their lead despite a late flurry from Wednesday.
"I think at the end when we got the goal, that's when experience does make the difference because we know how to hang onto a lead," Davies told Sky Sports' Jonathan Oakes.
"We've been good at that this year, not so good at coming back sometimes but we've been good at holding onto one and you can see from there that we were not going to let that slip.
"It was an amazing goal and it was going to take a great goal to win the game but however it went in, we're just glad to be up."
Diame was named man of the match following his spectacular efforts, and was pleased to have helped his side over the line.
"It was the most important goal I've ever scored I think. It was tough and a long season but we've done it. Tonight we're going to celebrate it like we have to do."
