BROWN'S BELIEF PAYS DIVIDENDS

Hull celebrate their famous triumph over Arsenal.

Hull players have hailed Phil Brown for giving them belief to win at Arsenal - after he lost them money with a racing tip before their historic victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Brown's horse European Dream did not run well at Market Rasen but the 2-1 result against Arsene Wenger's Barclays Premier League title-chasers more than made up for it.

There may not be realistic dreams of Europe for the top-flight newcomers, although anything seems possible after ending Arsenal's unbeaten home run that stretched back 17 months.

"I wasn't best pleased with the gaffer before the game," said skipper Ian Ashbee. "He gave us all a tip on his horse and it was terrible!"

Brown's instructions on how to beat Arsenal were more fruitful, despite the Hull boss being upset after 45 minutes.

"He had a pop at us at half-time because he said we didn't believe it enough," Ashbee said. "If the manager thinks that then he certainly has belief in us."

Paul McShane's own goal gave Arsenal the lead but Hull fought back and levelled with Geovanni's rocket from 30 yards, then Daniel Cousin headed in a winner.

"It was a momentous day and no-one gave us a hope in hell," Ashbee added. "We've gone and proved people wrong again.

"I think people will write it down as another historic day for Hull City that I've been involved with. We've got to try to make even more historic days.

"We've got Tottenham next week so it would be nice to do a double over north London."

The secret to Hull's success was not a physical approach that many expected them to adopt.

Brown fielded Cousin and Marlon King in attack, with Geovanni causing problems behind the front two. They also matched Arsenal for work-rate.

"There are better players than me and a few of the other boys who will have to work hard when they come here and maybe not get the result we got," Ashbee said. "We pride ourselves on the workmanship we have together.

"We're not going to try to hurt people, we play football. We are solid and want to be competitive. It was not a case of coming to Arsenal and trying to upset them.

"Nobody likes to lose at home. We don't like to lose at home. I'm sure Arsenal don't like to lose at home, especially against a team who nobody gave a chance to outside our dressing room.

"I'm sure they weren't best pleased but that isn't my concern and I'm not that bothered."

On a personal level, Ashbee has been through the leagues with Hull and is now relishing his chance in the spotlight.

He said: "I've played in some right dumps. Boothferry Park was one! I've done it the hard way and it's pinch-yourself time when you come to the Emirates and you're playing in such a massive stadium.

"We've got to grab it with both hands and try to stay in this league."

Waiting for Ashbee and his team-mates is a meeting in Brown's War Room when they return to training, when they will go through the Arsenal victory again.

"The gaffer loves those meetings, he thinks sometimes going into the War Room is better than going on the training pitch," Ashbee said. "I'd have to agree with him being 32 because I don't want to train every day!

"People get stuff off their chest. We go in there and say what we feel, he says what he thinks.

"We have the screen up and replay everything that is good or bad. We did it at the start of the season and probably put down that we were going to come to Arsenal and not get three points. Now we have."