For the past few weeks, every match played by Hull City has been The Most Important In The Club’s History. And they have not managed to win a single one. On Sunday, the most important match in Hull’s history will come around again, but they may not be taking part in it.

That, of course, is why the Hull supporters celebrated at Saturday’s final whistle and Phil Brown, the manager, could hardly keep a grin from breaking through his permatan. Although Hull will be at home on Sunday to Manchester United, a draw or even a defeat may be enough. If Newcastle United trip up against Aston Villa, the most important match in Hull’s history could well be the one at Villa Park.

Brown, though, is not relying too much on the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, will pick his side with an eye on the Champions League final three days later. “Sir Alex will have a team in his mind for the Wednesday and there will be one or two that can nudge him on the Sunday against Hull City,” Brown said. “People are playing for their places in the final and I’m expecting a tough game, end of story.

“It’s a massive plus that the title’s over and done with now, but is the pressure ever off Manchester United? I don’t think it is. You could sit down and pick up the [United] squad sheet and name two great sides for the Premier League so it won’t be easy and there will be no favours.”

Hull could have made life easier for themselves by winning on Saturday but Bolton Wanderers needed a point to reach safety and went ahead in the first half when Gretar Steinsson fired in after a breakaway. However, a miskick by Dan Shittu early in the second half allowed Craig Fagan to equalise and only the woodwork and a series of saves by Jussi Jaaskelainen prevented Hull from winning instead of having to settle for ending a run of five defeats.

“What’s great about today is that the belief in the team is back,” George Boateng, the Hull captain, said. “Newcastle couldn’t beat Fulham at home and going to Villa Park is harder than that. But it’s about us. Whatever team Manchester United put out it will be a great team . . . but I’m quite confident in a way. I don’t see Newcastle winning at Villa Park.”

Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2): J Jaaskelainen 8 — G Steinsson 6, G Cahill 6, D Shittu 6, J Samuel 6 — M Taylor 6 (sub: M Riga, 82min), G McCann 5, F Muamba 7 (sub: C Basham, 82), M Davies 5 — K Davies 6, J Elmander 4 (sub: A Makukula, 89). Substitutes not used: A Al Habsi, S Puygrenier, T Cohen, N Hunt. Booked: Elmander, Samuel. Next: Manchester City (a).

Hull City (4-1-3-2): B Myhill 6 — S Ricketts 6, M Turner 6, K Kilbane 6, A Dawson 6 — G Boateng 6 — R Garcia 7, N Barmby 5 (sub: D Marney, 73), Geovanni 6 (sub: D Cousin, 77) — C Fagan 5, Manucho 3 (sub: P Halmosi, 83). Substitutes not used: M Duke, N Doyle, B Hughes, L Cooper. Next: Manchester United (h).

Referee: P Walton Attendance: 25,085