The Tigers, odds-on favourites to be relegated from the Premier League ahead of kick-off, caused the upset of the opening day by coming from behind to beat Fulham in pulsating fashion.

Trailing to an eighth-minute goal from Seol Ki-Hyeon and seeming in danger of being over-run by the lively London side, City dug deep to produce a stirring fightback that began with a wonder goal from Geovanni.

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Then, after dominating the second half and creating a host of chances, substitute Caleb Folan netted a dramatic 82nd-minute winner to ensure the KC Stadium's record crowd went home in elated mood. The victory also raised hopes that Hull can – as their chairman and manager did last Wednesday at Ladies' Day in Beverley by winning a combined total of seven races – get the better of the bookies this season and avoid an instant return to the Championship.

Coming on the day that one bookmaker responded to fellow new boys Stoke City's 3-1 defeat at Bolton Wanderers by paying out on the Potteries club's relegation at the cost of around £30,000, it was a welcome fillip for everyone at the KC Stadium.

Not that goalscoring hero Folan was allowing himself to get carried away by the opening day triumph.

The Tigers striker said: "We are all pleased with the win. It was a tough game and we are very happy.

"But we are under no illusions because we have a lot of hard work to do and stronger teams to face.

"We have to keep our heads and not get too carried away."

There is little doubt that the coming nine months will test the resolve of those sporting amber and black, that is inevitable in a league featuring some of the most talented players in the world. It is why perhaps the most encouraging aspect of City's debut in the top flight was the manner in which they did not buckle during an opening 20 minutes in which Fulham were a class apart.

Fired by some crisp passing and fluid movement in midfield, the Cottagers threatened to embarrass their hosts with the tone for the opening quarter being set after just 47 seconds when Ki-Hyeon outpaced Michael Turner with consummate ease.

City did go close to opening the scoring in the third minute when only a brilliant save from Mark Schwarzer denied Geovanni a goal after the Brazilian had firmly met Richard Garcia's header back across goal.

That apart, however, the opening 21 minutes were a one-way procession to the home goal with only poor finishing on the part of Roy Hodgson's side preventing the game from being over as a contest.

Simon Davies twice went close after being found unmarked in the penalty area by a team-mate, while Zoltan Gera should have done better when presented with a shooting chance after the Hull defence had again been left badly exposed.

Such profligacy meant that, as the first half approached the midway point, Fulham led by just one goal, scored when Ki-Hyeon flicked Jimmy Bullard's right wing cross beyond the reach of Boaz Myhill.

City finally roused themselves on 22 minutes when Geovanni showed tremendous skill to control a pass from Sam Ricketts before firing an unstoppable shot into the corner of Schwarzer's net from 20 yards.

It may yet prove to be the most important goal of Hull's season because, suddenly, the home side possessed belief with Nick Barmby going close on the stroke of half-time with a header that rolled agonisingly wide of the target.

The former England international then turned creator 13 minutes into the second half when picking out Geovanni only for the Brazilian to shoot wide from six yards when it seemed easier to score.

A great tackle from Brede Hangeland then denied Marlon King a shooting opportunity before Peter Halmosi picked out Richard Garcia with an exquisite pass that allowed the Australian to bring a smart save from Schwarzer.

Brown responded to his side's dominance by bringing on Folan and Craig Fagan, his bold move being rewarded on 82 minutes when the latter forced a mistake out of Paul Konchesky deep inside Fulham territory.

Fagan, who could have chased personal glory by shooting, then showed admirable composure to roll a pass along the six-yard area for Folan to side-foot the ball into the net and prompt joyous scenes of celebration all around the KC.

Not only that, the goal was enough to seal a deserved three points that suggests the bookmakers' pre-season odds of between 12-5 and 3-1 on Hull winning their fight for Premier League survival may yet prove to be overly generous.