Ten-man Hull City came from two goals down to share the points with West Ham in a 3-3 draw which had everything.
Ten-man Tigers come from two down to deny Hammers
Hull City came from two goals down to share the points with fellow strugglers West Ham in a 3-3 draw which had everything.
In a week dominated by refereeing controversy it was fitting Mark Clattenburg should have been at the centre of many key moments.
The official gave a controversial penalty converted by Jimmy Bullard which saw the Tigers complete their comeback from two goals down on the stroke of half-time.
Then with the second half just nine minutes old, Clattenburg sent off City's Bernard Mendy for a professional foul on the inspirational Scott Parker.
The resulting free-kick failed to find the net but the Hammers did grab an equaliser on 69 minutes through Manuel Da Costa to add to earlier headers from Guillermo Franco and Jack Collison.
Even when down to ten men, the Tigers still pressed for a winner and had a strong penalty shout turned down with seven minutes remaining when Matthew Upson climbed all over Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink but the referee waved away the hosts' strong protests.
The result was enough to ensure both sides ended the day sitting outside the relegation zone.
A compelling game got off to an extraordinary start as West Ham scored twice inside the opening 11 minutes.
Franco found space to head in Junior Stanislas' cross with five minutes on the clock. Then West Ham doubled their lead soon when Franco sent a speculative cross into the area but Collison got ahead of Andy Dawson to meet it with a looping header that dropped over Matt Duke.
Yet City, led by the effervescent Bullard, refused to let spirits drop and got back into the game thanks to a stroke of fortune after 26 minutes.
Equaliser
Jozy Altidore won a free-kick on the edge of the area and there was little on Bullard's mind other than shooting as he lined up the free-kick.
His initial effort appeared on target but it would not have found its way in had it not bounced up of Parker and then skimmed Carlton Cole's head to arc over Robert Green.
Hull then pressed for an equaliser and Bullard picked out Mendy with a superb crossfield pass but the Frenchman's effort was blocked by Danny Gabbidon.
West Ham did not hold out much longer and, remarkably, the Tigers were in front by half-time.
First Stephen Hunt clipped in a free-kick from the right and Kamil Zayatte turned unmarked to volley powerfully past Green.
West Ham were then stung again as Craig Fagan went down easily under a challenge from Julien Faubert on the edge of the area.
Clattenburg pointed to the spot and Bullard smashed home to emphatically open his Hull account.
Despite the turnaround, the game was far from over and West Ham were given a way back in as Hull were reduced to 10 men after 53 minutes.
Clattenburg had no option other than to send Mendy off as he slid in to deny Parker a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Hull survived as Stanislas curled his shot wide from the resulting free-kick and Duke had to be alert when the same player tried his luck from distance.
West Ham were rewarded for a good spell of pressure when they pulled themselves level after 68 minutes as Hull failed to clear a corner and Da Costa blasted in from close range.
West Ham pushed for a winner but substitute Zavon Hines was booked for diving when he tangled with Dawson on the edge of the area after a strong run.
Hull's hearts were in their mouths when Luis Jimenez found an opening to shoot but he could only find the side-netting.
Hull wanted another penalty when Vennegoor of Hesselink went down under an Upson challenge but Clattenburg played on.
Stanislas headed over a late chance for West Ham and Duke also saved from Collison as Hull held on.
| Hull City |
Team Statistics |
West Ham United |
| 3 |
Goals |
3 |
| 3 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
9 |
| 4 |
Shots off Target |
6 |
| 6 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 5 |
Corners |
3 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
19 |
| 0 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
4 |
| 1 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 77.1 |
Passing Success |
78.5 |
| 27 |
Tackles |
20 |
| 66.7 |
Tackles Success |
70 |
| 54.4 |
Possession |
45.6 |
| 54.9 |
Territorial Advantage |
45.1 |
|
