Ghilas provides home comfort for Hull

Hull registered their first Premier League win at the KC Stadium in 2009 after a Kamel Ghilas strike clinched a 1-0 victory over Bolton on Saturday.

The Algeria forward’s second-half goal also gave the Tigers their first victory in all competitions in 14 attempts and consigned the visitors to their second defeat in their first two league games.

Although Phil Brown’s team ended with all three points, their abysmal home form was nearly exposed in the second minute when England under-21 midfielder Fabrice Muamba released record signing Johan Elmander down the right channel.

The Sweden striker chose to shoot from a narrow angle but pulled the ball wide of the post with Matty Taylor free in the middle for the visitors.

Hull began to find their way into the game and came close when France-born Ghilas hit a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made a comfortable save.

It was the visitors, themselves yet to win away from home in 2009, who were still looking the more dangerous and Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill had to be at his best to keep out ex-Portsmouth man Taylor’s 25-yard free-kick.

The nervous City defence nearly conspired to hand Gary Megson’s men the lead when Myhill came to punch a cross but the ball ended up deflecting off centre-back Michael Turner before spinning wide of the goal.

Former Manchester City midfielder Geovanni responded for the hosts by creating space with a superb piece of skill before stinging Jaaskelainen’s palms with a smart shot.

Bolton nearly got the perfect half-time tonic but veteran striker Kevin Davies could only volley wide from ex-Wolves midfielder Mark Davies’s free-kick.

Hull finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark through former Celta Vigo forward Ghilas.

The close-season signing lashed home a volley after neat wing play and a superb cross from America striker Jozy Altidore.

Hull nearly doubled their advantage but Altidore, on loan from Spanish club Villarreal, saw his lob bounce agonisingly wide of the post.

Bolton could not capitalise on the home team’s late anxiety and Hull held on for a priceless win thanks to a heroic double save from Myhill, who kept out shots from defender Sam Ricketts and South Korea’s Lee Chung-Yong.