Hull boss Phil Brown has admitted his side's win over Stoke has eased the pressure on both him and the squad.

Brown's position had been the subject of intense speculation ahead of the game at the KC Stadium, which Hull won 2-1 with an injury-time Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink goal.

The vital victory, only the club's third in the Barclays Premier League this season, was enough to lift the Tigers out of the relegation zone.

Brown gave no interviews after the game but spoke for the first time after a friendly against Serie A side Atalanta in Italy last night.

When asked what the Stoke result had done for his side, Brown said: "I think less pressure but more confidence where the players are concerned.

"When you ask the players to play football you have to play with confidence and today we have seen a little more confidence.

"Hopefully we can carry that into the West Ham game."

Brown was speaking to reporters after his side were beaten on penalties by Atalanta following a 2-2 draw.

Richard Garcia equalised twice for the English side but Bernard Mendy, Andy Dawson and George Boateng all missed after the game went to spot-kicks.

Brown added: "I thought it was a very good game. Both sides have injuries and international players away.

"A lot of young players had a look at the game and I thought it was very entertaining - two very good goals from Atalanta and two very good goals from us."