Two goals from Alexis Sanchez, one of which was scored with his hand, earned Arsenal a workmanlike 2-0 win at the Emirates which halted their run of two successive Premier League defeats and lifted them to third in the table.
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez Photo: PHOTOSPORT
But the result was far from convincing and did little to settle the debate over Arsene Wenger's future after days of uncertainty about whether he will remain in charge next season.
The manager completed his four-match touchline ban by watching from the stands and was delighted to see Sahchez pop up on the line for the opener on 34 minutes. But the goal was controversial, with the ball going in inadvertently off the Chilean's hand after popping up from a goalline save by Hull keeper Eldin Jakupovic.
Oumar Niasse twice went close for an enterprising Hull side, who had Sam Clucas sent off for conceding the injury-time penalty from which Sanchez scored his 17th league goal -- and fourth against Hull -- this season.
Meanwhile Manchester United became the first club to reach 2,000 points in the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Watford at Old Trafford.
United, crowned champions 13 times since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, maintained their top-four pursuit with goals from Juan Mata and Anthony Martial.
Manchester United's Anthony Martial celebrates after scoring their 3rd goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Watford have never won at Old Trafford in the league and once playmaker Mata swept in Martial's cross in the 32nd minute that sorry statistic was in no danger.
The hosts dominated and doubled their lead on the hour when Martial was played in by Zlatan Ibrahimovic's clever touch and he tucked in a near-post shot past keeper Heurelho Gomes for only his third league goal of the season.
United, now unbeaten in their last 16 Premier League games, moved above Liverpool into fifth place with 48 points before Liverpool host second-placed Tottenham Hotspur later.
