Hull City will play in the Barclays Premier League for a second season after a tense climax to their debut top-flight season.

On the day billed as Survival Sunday, the Tigers were beaten 1-0 by champions Manchester United at the KC Stadium but Newcastle United's defeat at Aston Villa meant City beat the drop by one point.

Needing to match Newcastle's result to stay up, City showed just one change as Dean Marney replaced the ineligible Manucho.

Andy Dawson recovered from his illness to remain at left back while Kamil Zayatte and Caleb Folan returned on the bench.

Kevin Kilbane continued in the unfamiliar centre-back position.

Three days before the Champions League Final against Barcelona in Rome, United - making their first league visit to Hull since 1974 - made numerous changes but still featured six full internationals.

Only Darren Fletcher retained his place from last Saturday's title-winning performance against Arsenal.

Wes Brown and Gary Neville started at the back, but Rio Ferdinand didn't feature.

On a glorious afternoon, a year to the day since the fabulous Play-Off Final win at Wembley, the home fans were in good voice long before kick-off.

The referee was Alan Wiley, the man in charge at Wembley last year.

Geovanni began in an advanced role alongside Craig Fagan with Nick Barmby on the left of midfield.

City started brightly, winning a couple of early corners, although United dealt with Dawson's deliveries.

Michael Turner's long ball saw Fagan beat the offside trap on seven minutes, but his first touch was too strong and allowed Tomasz Kuszczak to gather.

United's first real threat came from a Nani free kick which was saved comfortably by Boaz Myhill.

And it was the visitors who took the lead on 24 minutes with an absolute thunderbolt from Darron Gibson.

He picked up possession 30 yards out and lashed a stunning shot past Myhill.

It was almost two moments later, but Myhill kept out Lee Martin's effort.

City responded with Michael Turner heading over from Dawson's cross.

A strong run from Danny Welbeck took him from inside his own half to the edge of the City box in the 33rd minute before he dragged a shot wide of goal.

Moments later, Federico Macheda came into the game and cut inside Sam Ricketts before shooting wide.

Play then switched to the other end as Geovanni set up Dawson for a shot, but Kuszczak tipped the ball over the bar.

Meanwhile at Villa Park, Aston Villa had taken the lead against Newcastle and the news quickly spread around the KC Stadium.

Gibson was booked for a foul on Fagan while Barmby was also cautioned for a strong challenge on Macheda.

Half Time: Tigers 0-1 United

United started the second half on the front foot with Turner having to knock a dangerous Rafael cross over his own bar.

It was then City's turn to attack as Barmby saw his header from a Sam Ricketts cross blocked behind. From the resulting corner, Turner's header was saved by Kuszczak.

City's first change of the afternoon came on 54 minutes as Folan replaced Geovanni.

Marney was booked for two fouls in quick succession before United introduced Richard Eckersley in place of Rafael.

City's second change came on 68 minutes as Bernard Mendy replaced Barmby before Dawson's tame free kick was stopped by Kuszczak.

At the other end, Macheda wasted a good chance as he blasted wide of the near post.

Phil Brown made his final change nine minutes from time as Daniel Cousin came on for Garcia.

The tension continued to grow and Myhill did well to tip Nani's shot wide.

City couldn't find an equaliser during added time and just seconds after the final whistle, it was confirmed that Newcastle had lost.

It sparked delirious celebrations with the mission accomplished - Phil Brown's Tigers had defied the odds and are staying up for a second season in the Barclays Premier League.

Tigers (4-4-1-1) Boaz Myhill; Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Kevin Kilbane, Andy Dawson; Richard Garcia (Cousin 81), Dean Marney, George Boateng [captain], Nick Barmby (Mendy 68); Geovanni (Folan 54); Craig Fagan.

Subs: Matt Duke, Kamil Zayatte, Bryan Hughes, Bernard Mendy, Peter Halmosi, Caleb Folan, Daniel Cousin.

Bookings: Barmby 43, Marney 60.

Manchester United (4-4-1-1) Tomasz Kuszczak; Rafael Da Silva (Eckersley 60), Wes Brown, Gary Neville [captain], Ritchie De Leat (Possebon 79);  Nani, Darren Fletcher, Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck (Tosic 87); Lee Martin; Federico Macheda.

Subs: Ben Amos, Zoran Tosic, Rodrigo Possebon, Richard Eckersley, Cory Evans, Danny Drinkwater, Matty James.

Bookings: Gibson 42.

Attendance: 24,945 (a new record for a Hull City game at the KC Stadium).