Following his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur on a three year contract, Hull City defender, Michael Dawson has been an inspiring figure for the Tigers in their fight for Premier League survival and in the English Football League Cup.

The 32-year-old only returned from a 12-week lay-off in City’s 2-0 loss to Stoke last week and has helped the Tigers secure a win in the EFL Cup quarter-finals away to Bristol city scoring the winning goal in the tie which ended 2-1.

City have been short on positives during a damaging run of seven defeats in eight Premier League games but Dawson’s return to the side has made a huge difference. The Tigers undoubtedly look stronger for his presence in a defence that had been so horribly compromised.

A recall to their match day 10 clash at Vicarage Road, Hull city had a defence that could not be breached for the most part of the encounter as the Tigers resolutely blocked and cleared every attack that came their way.

A first clean-sheet since August 20 was under way, but then came one moment of misfortune to undermine all their efforts. Darryl Janmaat’s cross from the right hand side of the penalty area was flicked in by Roberto Pereyra. Michael Dawson, unable to react quickly enough, could only deflect the ball beyond David Marshall with his hip. Thus a sixth consecutive League defeat was effectively confirmed.

It was impossible not to feel sympathy for Dawson, as the captain and central figure in a three-man defence, the 32-year-old had excelled at the KCOM stadium.

Hull will take a break from the Premier League action to host Swansea in the FA Cup third round on Saturday before the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final away to Manchester United next week.