Hull and West Ham in 3-3 dramatic draw

Nov 21, 2009 - 8:53 PM By GEOFF McALLISTER STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Portuguese defender Manuel Da Costa scored his first Premier League goal to help West Ham snatch a 3-3 draw against ten-man Hull in a thrilling relegation battle at the KC Stadium.

The Hammers stormed into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 11 minutes thanks to goals from Guillermo Franco and Jack Collison.

Hull staged a stunning comeback and led 3-2 through Carlton Cole's unlucky own goal, Kamil Zayatte's brilliant volley and a controversial Jimmy Bullard penalty.

Da Costa equalised 19 minutes from time after Hull defender Bernard Mendy had been sent off.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola said: "It was a strange game. I could not see them coming back from two-nil down but credit to them for doing that.

"The reaction from our team was very good. Obviously we need to improve some things but I cannot fault our effort."

Hull boss Phil Brown had been granted a stay of execution after Hull's 2-1 win at home to Stoke a fortnight ago but that reprieve did not last long as West Ham got off to a flying start.

Italian striker Franco was left unmarked inside the Hull penalty are to head home Junior Stanislas's corner after just five minutes.

Collison took advantage of more sloppy defending from the hosts to make it 2-0 six minutes later.

Wales international Collison outjumped a static Andy Dawson to reach Scott Parker's cross before looping a header over Hull goalkeeper Matt Duke from 12 yards for his first goal since March.

Hull were handed a lifeline in the 27th minute when Cole was credited with an own goal.

Bullard's long range effort deflected off Parker before flicking off Cole's head and flying past a stranded Robert Green.

The match was turned on its head by two goals in the final two minutes of the first half.

Hull were back on level terms in the 44th minute when centre back Zayatte raced onto Stephen Hunt's free kick and beat Green with a stunning near post volley.

The Tigers completed an astonishing comeback moments later, with Bullard firing home from the penalty spot after referee Mark Clattenburg harshly adjudged Julien Faubert to have fouled Craig Fagan.

An amazing game took another twist eight minutes after half time when Mendy was sent off for scything down Parker when he was through on goal.

West Ham made their numerical advantage tell in the 69th minute. The Hull defence failed to clear a Stanislas corner, allowing Da Costa to rifle the loose ball past Duke from close range.

Duke produced a stunning save to keep out Collison's late header and prevent the Hammers snatching victory.

Hull boss Brown said: "It was an incredible game to watch, a great advert for the Premier League.

"Even at two-nil down I did not think there was much between the two teams and was confident we could get something out of the game.

"Jimmy Bullard was the difference. He dictated the pace of the game and they could not handle him."