March 10, 2017

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LONDON (Reuters) - Hull City meet Swansea City for the 74th time on Saturday with both teams desperate for a win in their battle against relegation. We look at five standout clashes between the sides.

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Division Three (fourth tier) - May 2003

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Swansea City 4 Hull City 2

 

Arguably the most important result in Swansea's history as James Thomas netted a hat-trick in a victory that preserved the club's Football League status at Exeter City's expense.

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In front of a packed crowd at their former Vetch Field home, Swansea trailed 2-1 but Thomas equalised with his second of the game on the stroke of halftime. Lenny Johnrose put the Swans ahead after the break before Thomas' lob sealed the win.

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It proved a turning point for Swansea who, after stumbling from crisis to crisis on and off the pitch, embarked on a golden decade that saw them rise through the divisions to reach the Premier League in 2011.

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Division Three - August 1997

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Hull City 7 Swansea City 4

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A bizarre early-season clash in the fourth tier in which Duane Darby netted a hat-trick for the hosts who before and after the fixture were suffering a goal famine.

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Hull, managed by former England striker Mark Hateley, led 2-1 at halftime but there was no hint of the goalrush to come.

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Tony Bird levelled for Swansea in the 53rd minute but Glyn Hodges put Hull back in front a minute later before Darby made it 4-2. Jason Price nicked one back for the Swans but Neil Mann's double stretched Hull's lead.

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Darby completed his hat-trick in he 82nd minute before Hull had Greg Rioch sent off. Jan Molby was in charge of Swansea.

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Premier League, December 2013

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Swansea City 1 Hull City 1

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The first top flight clash between the clubs saw Danny Graham give Hull an early lead against his old club with his first goal in 30 games.

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Swansea, then managed by Michael Laudrup who led them to the League Cup the season before, were booed off at halftime but improved after the break and earned a point when Chico Flores nudged in Jonjo Shelvey's cross.

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Laudrup was sacked a few months later with Garry Monk taking charge. Both teams survived the drop.

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Premier League, April 2015

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Swansea City 3 Hull City 1

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Bafetimbi Gomis struck twice as Swansea City beat 10-man Hull City at the Liberty Stadium to increase the visitor's relegation fears.

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Ki Sung-yueng put Swansea ahead and Gomis' acrobatic volley doubled their lead. Paul McShane pulled one back but Hull had David Meyler sent off for a high tackle on Kyle Naughton.

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Gomis wrapped up the points in stoppage-time as Swansea.

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Swansea went on to finish eighth - their best in the Premier League - while Hull were relegated.

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FA Cup, third round, January 2017

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Hull City 2 Swansea City 0

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An unremarkable game was significant for the fact that Paul Clement, Swansea's third manager of the season, was taking charge for the first time while Hull also had a new man at the helm in the shape of Marco Silva.

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Under Francesco Guidolin and American Bob Bradley, Swansea looked destined for drop but Clement has transformed the Welsh club and they have won four out of seven league games since.

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Abel Hernandez and Josh Tymon scored for Hull whose form since has been less impressive and they remain in 19th spot.

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(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Alison Williams)

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The Star Online

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