Hull v Fulham 2-1: New boys return

Substitute Caleb Folan hit a late winner as Hull came from behind to claim a thrilling 2-1 victory over Fulham in his first game in the top flight of English football.

The hosts fell behind on Seol Ki-Hyeon's header after eight minutes but hit back with a surprising tie Geovanni half of the first half. Then with nine minutes remaining, Craig Fagan stolen Paul Konchesky and Folan created to secure the points.

Fulham, who won their last three away games of last season to stay, he created the first opportunity after Seol Sprinter Michael Turner off to the left, Simon Davies, but was unable to convert the cross. Hull then powered ahead and came desperately close to taking the lead.

Richard Garcia headed by Andy Dawson's left flank centre across goal but debutant Mark Schwarzer produced a superb save to claw away from Geovanni goalbound header. Schwarzer then recovered well clear of struggle Ian Ashbee monitoring. However, Fulham took advantage of some poor defending to open the scoring.

Jimmy Bullard was given enough time to cross from the right and Seol broke into the penalty area to beat Bo Myhill with an angled header into the bottom left corner.The goal knocked the stuffing from Hull and Davies was near the adding a second when his drive from 15 yards deflected over the bar.

From the resulting corner of delivery Bullard was fired just over from John Pantsil and another corner moments later Davies acrobatic volley flew just wide over Fulham began to dominate. However, from scratch Hull levelled the scoring with a superb strike from Geovanni.

The Brazilian, who joined Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer, cutting inside the right flank and curled a tremendous left-footed shot into the left corner from 20 yards. Hull are gaining confidence on the ball and Nick Barmby came close with a header after a deep cross Sam Ricketts late in the half.

Zoltan Gera wasted an excellent opportunity within two minutes of the resumption when he beat the offside trap, but aggressive scuff the ball wide from 10 yards. Hull responded, however, Turner Dawson's corner and headed a yard over the crossbar.

Geovanni then missed a glorious chance to give the home side the lead when sliced wide from six meters after locking Barmby on the cross. Barmby was the last contribution as he was replaced by Peter Halmosi. Fulham, which had offered little in attack since the break, suddenly awoke and George Boateng had to be alert to block a shot from Bullard.

However, Hull continued to look the more likely to score Garcia and forced Schwarzer into a fine low save after good work by Halmosi on the left. Hull boss Phil Brown, then used up all their remaining substitutions, bringing in Folan and Fagan for Marlon King and Garcia, respectively. Two of the replacements are then combined to give the front end of the hull. Fagan robbed the hesitant Konchesky near the byline, and unselfishly squared for Folan to slide the ball in an empty net.

In the final stages of the hull were found to 10 men after Boateng blocked off injured. Fulham manager Roy Hodgson introduced Leon Andreasen and Erik Nevland, but the hosts survived a nervous five minutes of added time to claim the points.---espn--