Smalling: Victory Vital

Chris Smalling was relieved to pick up all three points as Manchester United came back from two goals behind to defeat Hull City at the KC Stadium.

The hosts raced into a two-goal lead early on, before Smalling's header sparked the response, with Wayne Rooney's stunning effort and an own goal from former Reds defender James Chester eventually securing the win.

United centre-back Smalling was delighted to get his name on the scoresheet, and believes the victory could give his side a boost in the title race. He told MUTV: "It was great [for me] to chip in [with a goal], and I think it gave us some real momentum.

"Wayne [Rooney] has been putting in some great crosses from these set pieces and he came up with the second goal himself.

"I think it’s going to be a pivotal three points and it keeps us on this run as well, which is important because it is difficult when you have to play again two days later. It’s always easier when you go into a game off the back of a win.

"We had belief going into this game, and after this win we’ll continue to pick it up. I think we've had our setbacks this season, we need to make sure that we don’t have any more and that we keep winning."

As for the game itself, the defender was critical of the way United began the game, but praised the fighting spirit shown by his team mates.

"It was a terrible start," admitted Smalling. "In the last few games we've done well and haven’t conceded many goals, so it was very disappointing. We knew they had two big men up front, we didn't quite organise ourselves and we allowed them too much room.

"We tidied that up in the dressing room [at half-time], and luckily for us we managed to come back [and win], because otherwise it could have been a killer [result]. It was unfortunate for Hull that he [James Chester] put it in his own goal.

"Hull might feel that they had a lot of chances, especially in the last ten minutes. It was a truly crazy Boxing Day game and I've never looked at the clock so much. We need to make sure there aren't too many more games like that."