A Carlos Cuellar own goal has given Hull City a slender win against Sunderland, although the Black Cats had to contest the second half with nine men after Lee Cattermole and Andrea Dossena were sent off.
Jozy Altidore had the first effort of the afternoon but scuffed his shot wide of the goal.
There was little else in the way of goalmouth action during the early stages as both teams kept it tight.
However, Hull then took the lead through a Carlos Cuellar own goal. Liam Rosenior delivered the ball into the box and the Sunderland defender headed into his own net under pressure from Yannick Sagbo.
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The away side responded with a short spell of pressure, but failed to carve out any openings.
However, Sunderland then found themselves down to nine men as Cattermole and Dossenna were sent off.
Inevitably, Hull started the second half on the front foot with Sagbo curling wide from outside the box.
It was then Boyd's turn to threaten as he fired an effort just wide from the edge of the box.
However, Sunderland did their best to push forward and Adam Johnson drilled a shot just wide. Sebastian Larsson then had a similar chance but was unable to hit the target.
Johnson had a great chance to level the scores, going clean through on goal, but Steve Harper made the save.
Livermore then almost doubled Hull's lead with a long-range shot that came back off the bar.
Phil Bardsley could have secured a point for Sunderland, but placed his volley over the bar.
Gary Peters
