Hull boss Bruce slams son Alex for tackle in defeat to Southampton

​Hull manager Steve Bruce has slammed his son Alex for the "awful challenge" which he believes cost his side the game against Southampton.

Alex Bruce fouled Shane Long in the penalty area just before the hour mark at St Mary's with the game still at 0-0, allowing James Ward-Prowse to step up and convert from the spot. 

The Saints then went on to win the game 2-0 thanks to Graziano Pelle's late strike, and Tigers manager Bruce said the penalty was the turning point.

"He (Alex) needs criticising like everybody else," said the manager. "It's a silly challenge from a lad of his experience to try and make. We've been punished and it probably cost us the game."

He added: "Jake (Livermore) had a shot saved from the edge of the box, then within three minutes we're 1-0 down through an awful challenge by Alex."

Tigers boss Bruce also considered his side to be the better of the two in the first half and that Pelle was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after an early altercation with his son.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"We were excellent with some of our football in the first half, but didn't get the reward or the decisions," Bruce continued.

"A lot of players in the dressing room were disappointed that Pelle only got a yellow card for his antics with Alex there. He's got a badly broken nose.

"I'm not going to come here and say that's the reason for our defeat, but it certainly helps if you're playing against 10 men after 10 minutes. 

"If you do look it at, our players are incensed because he (Pelle) has whacked him (Alex) with his forearm and caught him badly. It's a big, big decision that obviously goes against you."