Cullen goal gives Swansea victory at Hull

Liam Cullen leads Swansea's celebrations after scoring his fifth goal of the season

Swansea City claimed a first league win under Luke Williams as Liam Cullen's goal dealt a blow to Hull City's Championship play-off hopes.

Cullen came closest to extending Swansea's advantage with a second-half effort which drifted narrowly wide, while Ozan Tufan wasted Hull's best chance when he headed straight at Carl Rushworth.

This was a timely triumph for Swansea, who fought hard - and showed signs of quality - to deliver head coach Williams' first Championship triumph at the fifth attempt.

Their poor form has prompted concerns over a potential spring-time relegation battle, but this notable win eases the pressure on Williams' team.

It was a frustrating afternoon for a disappointing Hull, whose attacking threat was limited even against opponents with one of the division's more porous defences.

Defeat sees Liam Rosenior's team drop out of the play-off places and into seventh, while Swansea climb to 16th, seven points clear of the bottom three.

Successive wins, some notable January signings and the recent return to fitness of Jaden Philogene had combined to lift Hull's mood as they prepared to face Swansea, yet it was the Welsh side who seized the early initiative on Humberside.

Their purposeful opening was rewarded with the early set-piece goal, with Jay Fulton's subtle block on Philogene giving Cullen the time and space to steer home at the near post.

Swansea were playing with confidence, and might have doubled their advantage when Ronald crossed for fellow January recruit Przemyslaw Placheta, only for the Polish international to head across the face of goal.

Hull gradually grew into the contest, missing the chance to level when the unmarked Tufan failed to trouble Rushworth from Ryan Giles' free-kick.

On-loan Liverpool forward Fabio Carvalho shot wide from 20 yards before half-time, then a Hull counter around the hour mark left Nathan Wood scrambling back to clear off his own line after substitute Billy Sharp had beaten Rushworth to Tufan's long ball forward.

Anass Zaroury, making his second Hull appearance after joining from Burnley, takes on former Tigers player and local lad Josh Tymon

Swansea could have given themselves breathing space when Placheta's cross was nodded down by Ronald, but this time Cullen skewed his shot a foot wide of the post.

Matt Grimes saw a long-range drive pawed to safety by Ryan Allsop before Philogene forced Rushworth to save with his feet with a shot from a tight angle.

Rosenior rang the changes in an attempt to inspire a revival, but it was Swansea who came closest late on when Tymon's drive was saved by Allsop.