West Brom 3-1 Hull: Baggies fight back to beat struggling Tigers

West Brom have started 2017 with three points after coming from a goal down to beat Hull 3-1 at the Hawthorns on Monday.

Hull deservedly took a first-half lead through Robert Snodgrass, but their set-piece woes continued after the break as headers from Chris Brunt and Gareth McAuley fired West Brom in front.

James Morrison added a third to further condemn Hull, who remain 19th and three points from safety.

The result is West Brom's second comeback victory in three days meaning they stay eighth, just one point behind Everton.

Both sides made two changes heading into the match, and there was no place in West Brom's starting line-up for Hal Robson-Kanu despite his match-winning efforts in the New Year's Eve clash against Southampton.

The effects of playing just two days prior were clearly taking its toll on the hosts, who were slow out of the blocks in comparison to Hull who had enjoyed an extra day's rest.

But for all of Hull's early possession, Ben Foster was only tested once in the opening 15 minutes with the West Brom 'keeper getting down well to keep out Snodgrass' free-kick.

Michael Dawson then went agonisingly close with a volley from 12-yards out, but the defender could not direct his attempt on goal.

The visitors then took a deserved lead, with Snodgrass meeting Ahmed Elmohamady's cross to volley home on the stretch - in what was Hull's first away goal since October.

West Brom's best move of the match came five minutes before the break, with Matty Phillips' header well saved by David Marshall.

Hull then went on the counter with Adama Diomande denied brilliantly by McAuley, before Tom Huddlestone's 25-yard effort was parried wide by Foster.

After the break, a rejuvenated West Brom took just four minutes to level proceedings, with Brunt's header flying past Marshall into the roof of the net.

Just after the hour-mark, McAuley's header appeared to be blocked by Sam Clucas on the line, but Mark Clattenburg pointed to his watch to indicate that the ball had crossed the line by a matter of millimetres.

Hull seemed deflated after conceding their 12th set-piece goal of the season, although a header from substitute Ryan Mason could have levelled matters with 20 minutes to go.

Moments later, West Brom grabbed their third through Morrison, whose scrappy finish off his shin bobbled into the bottom corner past a despairing Marshall.

Dawson's header was then blocked on the line by Phillips with 10 minutes remaining, but that was as close as Hull came to getting back into the match.

Victory for West Brom is the third in their last five league games, while Hull last tasted success in early November.

Player ratings

West Brom: Foster (6), Dawson (6), McAuley (8), Evans (6), Brunt (7), Yacob (7), Fletcher (7), Phillips (8), Morrison (7), Chadli (6); Rondon (6). Subs: Nyom (6), Robson-Kanu (6), McClean (6).

Hull: Marshall (6), Maguire (6), Davies (6), Dawson (7), Elmohamady (6), Huddlestone (6), Snodgrass (7), Clucas (6), Livermore (7), Mbokani (6), Diomande (5). Subs: Mason (6), Henriksen (N/A).

Man of the match: Gareth McAuley (West Brom)