Hull City, in their first match in the top flight started the encounter well. Buoyed by a vocal home support, the Tigers came close to taking the lead when Geovanni’s header was well saved on the line by Mark Schwarzer. The ball was only parried a few feet wide by the big keeper and was promptly followed up by another cross back into the danger area where John Pantsil cleared, somewhat fortuitously, via his near post.

The Whites took some time to settle down into their customary rhythm but it was through their first well-constructed move that they took the lead.Seol Ki-Hyeon, recently converted to a striker by Roy Hodgson, was the man who gave the Whites an 8th minute opener. Danny Murphy got the attack going my spreading play wide to Jimmy Bullard, who had drifted out to the right wing. Bullard made progress down the right before delivering a fine cross which was impressively glanced home by Seol.

Hull’s early momentum had somewhat died down by the 15 minute mark as Fulham began to control the pace of the match. Simon Davies saw two good chances go just wide as the Whites pushed forward. His first opportunity of the match came after he rode out a tough tackle and fed the ball forward for Pantsil to cross, the ball came back and Davies steadied himself and drove a fierce shot which was deflected wide by a desperate Anthony Gardner lunge.

The home side were back on level terms in the 22nd minute when Geovanni managed to find a free yard of space on the edge of the area. His curled, left footed effort flew past Mark Schwarzer, who could only get a fingertip on the ball. It was a goal against the run of play however the Whites would have been disappointed to not clear the danger in the build-up to the goal.

The goal had certainly changed the pattern of play in the first half as Fulham looked to maintain their shape but were unable re-establish their early dominance. However, a fine piece of team play on the half hour mark saw Murphy, Bullard, Davies ,Zamora and Seol all combine for a sweet passing move which took the Whites from one end of the pitch to the other – unfortunately they could not apply the finishing touch.

Hull certainly closed the first half the stronger side with their direct play reaping greater rewards with a number of half-chances coming the Tigers’ way.

The Whites came out for the second half unchanged as Roy Hodgson’s men looked to get back in front. Both sides saw early chances fall their way in the opening moments of the second half, with both opportunities falling foul of the linesman’s flag. Hull had a promising attack ruled out when a Nick Barmby cross came just too soon. While Zoltan Gera also scuffed wide from close range after a good flick on from Bobby Zamora - the flag saved his blushes.

Michael Turner’s powerful header in the 51st minute from a Hull corner had the Whites’ back line worried. The Tigers defender lost his marker and directed a solid header just over Schwarzer’s bar.

Fulham managed to break out of their half in the 53rd minute as their passing game clicked back into place. The move culminated in Zamora delivering a teasing low cross across the face of goal which flashed through untouched.

Hull then almost took the lead in the most fortunate of circumstances when John Pantsil’s clearance cannoned off Aaron Hughes and into the path of Nick Barmy. His cross was met by Geovanni who somehow conspired to miss the target from eight yards. Certainly a let-off for the Whites.

Whilst Hull were not creating too many clear chances from open play, their policy of getting the ball into the area when all other options were exhausted was keeping the Whites on the back foot. Mark Schwarzer needed to be at his best in the air as he routinely came off his line and claimed a number of high balls. Schwarzer again showed good hands in the 69th minute when he got down low to his right to stop Peter Halmosi’s low drive.

Fulham’s attacks were largely coming through the central third of the pitch but often their intricate passing patterns were stifled upon reaching the congested edge of Hull’s penalty area.

The 81st minute saw Clint Dempsey replace Bobby Zamora as Roy Hodgson looked to refresh Fulham’s attack. Dempsey had just set foot on the pitch when Hull took the lead after Paul Konchesky failed to deal with a high ball. Craig Fagan was in close pursuit and seized on Konchesky’s hesitation. The ball was rolled across to Caleb Folan, who made no mistake from close range.

Two more changes from Fulham saw Nevland and Andreasen replace Seol and Danny Murphy however Fulham were unable to get back on level terms.