Silva lauds Jakupovic penalty save as vital moment in Hull's bid for survival

Hull City boss Marco Silva has lauded Eldin
Jakupovic's last-gasp penalty save as a vital
moment in his side's season, as a remarkable
escape from Premier League relegation edges
closer following a 0-0 draw at Southampton.
The Tigers looked set to be cruelly denied a vital
point in their bid for survival when Southampton
were awarded a penalty in second-half stoppage
time at St Mary's.
Jakupovic was the hero, though, getting down to
keep out Dusan Tadic's spot-kick, halting Hull's
five-match losing streak on the road as well as
condemning Sunderland - who were beaten by
Bournemouth - to relegation.
Hull now sit three points clear of third-bottom
Swansea City. And Silva - who has overseen an
incredible turnaround in fortunes since his
appointment in January - believes that it will
represent a huge moment in Hull's season.
"It's a really important moment [the penalty save].
If they had scored they would not deserve it," Silva
told BBC Sport.
"Let's not just talk about the last minute. We
showed very good organisation, very good football.
We controlled the first half.
"I think we deserve the point, of course I want more
but it is a very important point for us because it
helped us to change our away form and this will
give us more confidence.
"We knew before it would be really difficult for us
but we had a very good performance, the first half
was really very good.
"We controlled the game, had good possession,
good chances.
"We have analysed the games and changed some
things, our balance, organisation and focus is very
important – and this afternoon I think we achieved
all these things.
"We play always with risk and big pressure – for
me it is normal and I want to players to get used to
it and enjoy it."

Southampton, meanwhile, are under little pressure
entering their final five games of the campaign.
Claude Puel's side were underwhelming throughout
on Saturday, with Tadic's penalty miss epitomising
a lacklustre display, and full-back Cedric Soares
acknowledged that the Saints were well below par.
"It's disappointing," Cedric, who marked his 50th
Premier League appearance against Hull, told the
club's official website.
"We had a low intensity. We got in good positions
but I felt we could have done more in our
performance. It was not an easy game. Hull City
were well organised and are a much better team
now and playing well, but we could have done
more."