The Tigers had just proved for the second home game running that if this season's relegation battle is to be decided by guts and resolve alone then they have as good a chance as anyone of staying in the Premier League.

Two goals down inside 11 minutes, Hull had dug deep to launch a stunning fightback to lead by the break.

West Ham United may have gone on to rescue a point during the second half but it was Hull who finished a truly absorbing contest as the moral victors after being forced to play the final 36 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Bernard Mendy.

It was no wonder that the home fans in the 24,919 crowd were so appreciative of their players' efforts after a performance dripping with passion, vigour and attacking intent.

Okay, some of Hull's defending – and particularly as West Ham opened up a two-goal lead – may have been questionable but the desire and determination burning within Phil Brown's men was clear for all to see.

The Tigers manager, who revealed afterwards the choice of playing Simple Minds after the final whistle had been his, admitted that it felt like two points dropped.

However, he was also quick to praise his players' efforts as Hull claimed the point needed to stay out of the relegation zone.

Brown said: "I mentioned the word 'spirited' in my programme notes. The Stoke performance (when Hull won 2-1) was a spirited performance.

"Against West Ham, we saw a spirited comeback and a spirited performance with the ball.

"Will that bring the crowds back? Guaranteed. Will the kind of performance we gave in the first half? Again, guaranteed.

"I think that is what the fans have been crying out for – a committed performance with the ball, which is something we have seen in both of our last two games.

"You could say it is a coincidence that Jimmy (Bullard) is back but it is a lot to do with the fact."

Brown's singling out of the club record signing was merited, the midfielder again epitomising everything that is good about the Tigers when going forward.

Always available when a team-mate has the ball, Bullard's promptings in central midfield ensured Hull remained on the front foot even after having fallen behind.

That Hull found themselves with such a deficit to overcome inside just 11 minutes was wholly their own fault with poor defending and individual errors gifting West Ham two goals.

First, Guillermo Franco was left unmarked in the Hull penalty area to power a header past Matt Duke after being picked out by Junior Stanislas's corner.

There were just five minutes on the clock as the Mexican international found the net and the afternoon soon got a lot worse for the home side when hesitation by Andy Dawson allowed Jack Collison to meet Franco's cross and loop a header over Matt Duke.

Hull needed a lift and it came on 27 minutes when Bullard's free-kick clipped, first, Scott Parker and then, crucially, Carlton Cole before flying over a wrong-footed Robert Green and into the corner of the net.

Two goals in a minute just before the break then completed an amazing turnaround as Kamil Zayatte's volley which flew past Green was followed by a debatable penalty award in first-half stoppage time.

If there was any contact between Julien Faubert and Craig Fagan in the split second before the Tigers striker fell to the ground, it was minimal but that did not prevent referee Mark Clattenburg immediately pointing to the spot.

Bullard then wrestled the ball off team-mate Hunt before drilling the penalty into the roof of the net, West Ham's fury at the award being added to by Mendy having encroached so far into the area that the defender was just three steps behind his team-mate as the ball flew past Green.

Unbelievably, Hull were in front and seemingly on course to claim all three points after overturning a two-goal deficit on home soil for the first time in almost a quarter of a century – two strikes by Billy Whitehurst and another from Andy Flounders having clinched a 3-2 win over Derby in March, 1985.

Those hopes were, however, dealt a huge blow nine minutes after the restart when Scott Parker was scythed down by Mendy when through on goal, Clattenburg having no option but to brandish a red card for such a blatant professional foul.

It brought a change of approach for Hull with Paul McShane being brought on at right-back and Craig Fagan withdrawn to the right flank but, eventually, West Ham made their numerical superiority pay when Manuel Da Costa swept a shot between Dawson and the post after the ball had fallen kindly.

With 21 minutes remaining, the Hammers scented blood but Hull, who had a strong penalty appeal turned down late on when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was bundled to the ground by Matthew Upson, stood firm to further prove that their fight to stay in the Premier League is very much alive and kicking.


MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Jimmy Bullard

Hull are by no means a one-man team but there is little doubt that the Londoner's return from injury has given the team a crucial extra dimension.

Villain: Junior Stanislas

It would have been cruel on Hull but the West Ham man really should have scored with a header from just six yards out in the 87th minute after being found unmarked.

Key moment: 54th minute

After a mistake by Anthony Gardner had allowed Scott Parker to race clear, Bernard Mendy, righti scythed down the West Ham midfielder and 'took one for the team' by accepting the red card.

Ref watch

Mark Clattenburg: Not a great game. He wrongly awarded Hull a first-half penalty and was also too lenient with Guillermo Franco who deserved a second yellow card for a foul on Jozy Altidore.

Verdict

Further evidence that Hull have the stomach for a relegation fight with Jimmy Bullard again showing why Phil Brown spent £5m on the midfielder last January.

Quote of the day

I wouldn't have got there in the first place.

– Former right-back Phil Brown's honest answer to being asked what he would have done if faced with the same scenario that led to Bernard Mendy's red card.

Next game

Hull City v Everton; Wednesday November 25, 2009; Premier League.




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