Israel Saria
Geovanni’s free-kick, after nine minutes, was spectacular
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Geovanni’s brilliant free-kick made it another perfect day in north London for Hull City – and piled the pressure on Tottenham manager Juande Ramos.
The Brazilian stunned White Hart Lane with a curling effort from 30 yards after only nine minutes.
The hosts twice hit the woodwork through Gareth Bale and Jonathan Woodgate before the break, while Hull’s Dean Marney also hit the post.
Spurs pressed after the break – but stay rooted to the bottom of the table.
It left Ramos’s side contemplating their worst start in 96 years – and they departed White Hart Lane at the final whistle to a predictable chorus of jeers.
Their reception was in sharp contrast to the mood of Hull’s fans, as they sang long after the final whistle in celebration of a second win in north London in eight days after their shock victory at Arsenal.
Ramos was impassive at the end as he was for almost the entire game – and now he must hope the Spurs board continue to keep faith as his problems mount.
The Spaniard was surrounded by photographers prior to kick-off – always a bad sign for any manager.
And his anxiety almost increased after four minutes when Geovanni slipped in behind Woodgate, but his finish was uncharacteristically wild as he fired over the top.
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starling1943
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The former Manchester City man made amends in the most spectacular style possible in the ninth minute.
He showed the brilliant technique that has illuminated the Premier League with a bending 30-yard set-piece that left Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes rooted to the spot.
Spurs responded with spirit, and Roman Pavlyuchenko should have equalised after a mistake by Paul McShane, but could only shoot straight at Boaz Myhill.
Interview: Gus Poyet
If Spurs’ fans were dispirited by their team’s continuing ill-fortune, it was not on show – and their vociferous support was almost rewarded after 22 minutes when Myhill turned Bale’s long-range free-kick on to the bar.
Spurs suffered another blow when striker Pavlyuchenko, limping from early on, was replaced by Darren Bent.
And if the action on the pitch was lively, it was tasty in the technical area as well, with Spurs assistant boss Gus Poyet directing his disapproval at referee Rob Styles for his failure to give a foul against Luka Modric.
Hull boss Phil Brown was not to be left out – and he was also unhappy at what he saw as theatrics from some of the Spurs players, especially after Jermaine Jenas took a tumble.
The Tigers – just as they demonstrated at Arsenal – are revelling in the top flight, and they were desperately unlucky not to double their advantage nine minutes before the interval.
Another incisive move ended with former Spurs midfield man Marney beating Gomes with a shot on the turn, only to see his effort rebound to safety off the post.
Gomes’ handling was looking suspect, and he was grateful to palm away another powerful drive from Marlon King as Hull went in search of a second goal.
The positive approach from Hull had made for a hugely entertaining first 45 minutes as both teams traded blows – and the woodwork made a crucial intervention again just before the interval, this time to deny a close-range drive from Woodgate.
The home side continued to press after the interval, and David Bentley was introduced after 54 minutes as replacement for Chris Gunter, although it was mystifying to see him filling a right-back role.
Interview: Phil Brown
Bent had been busy without having any clear openings, but he wasted a glorious opportunity to level for Spurs when he was sent clear by Modric. He lofted the ball over the onrushing Myhill, but it drifted agonisingly wide.
Hull were resilient at the back, but were also ready to try to hit Spurs on the break and Gomes had to be alert to block King as he raced in on goal.
Spurs were enjoying plenty of possession, but they were missing that vital piece of quality – and indeed luck – that would give them an equaliser.
Fraizer Campbell’s cross gave Modric an inviting opportunity, but he could only direct his effort over the top as time started to run out for Spurs.
The Tottenham fans had given their team tremendous backing, but this latest missed chance added to the growing sense of desperation around White Hart Lane.
Tottenham’s last hope came with a free-kick from Bale deep into injury time, but he curled it wide and the Hull fans were able to celebrate once more as they climbed to third in the Premier League table.
Tottenham: Gomes, Gunter (Bentley 55), Corluka, Woodgate, Bale, Lennon (Giovani 74), Jenas, Zokora, Modric, Pavlyuchenko (Bent 35), Campbell.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Dawson, O’Hara, Assou-Ekotto.
Booked: Jenas, Lennon, Bent, Campbell.
Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Boateng, Geovanni (Halmosi 71), King (Folan 81), Cousin (Mendy 60).
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Duke, Garcia, Ricketts.
Booked: Ashbee, Boateng.
Goals: Geovanni 9.
Att: 36,062
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Hull City’s Geovanni on 7.82 (on 90 minutes).
Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport’s Player Rater after the match has finished.
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