Brown hails Tigers' feat

Hull manager Phil Brown hailed the spirit of his side after they came from behind to claim a gutsy Premier League opening-day win over Fulham.

After waiting 104 years for a crack at top-flight football, Hull slipped behind to Seol Ki-Hyeon's header, but Geovanni levelled the score with a tremendous strike. And with nine minutes remaining, substitute Caleb Folan slotted home the winner.

"The spirit of the football club was there for everybody to see," said Brown.

"The fitness levels in the second half were incredible, as was the passion and the drive. The character was tremendous," he added.

"Before the game we said to the players that Fulham didn't travel too well last season, and we tried to exploit their weaknesses. We stuck to a game plan and the substitutions changed the game late on.

"I'm really happy because there weren't many times last season we came from behind to win.

"Could I have asked for more? I would have liked a clean sheet as those are going to be very important this season."

Brown also hailed Brazilian Geovanni, who starred for the hosts on his league debut for Hull after joining on a free transfer from Manchester City in the summer.

"He (Geovanni) gives us something that we perhaps didn't have last season - a little bit of quality in the middle," Brown added.

"He didn't really get a fair crack of the whip at Manchester City last season, and I couldn't believe it when he became available."