When Hull City gained promotion to the Premier League in May 2008, many expected them to simply make up the numbers.
However, under the guidance of manager Phil Brown, the Tigers showed from the opening day just how determined they were to preserve their status.
In late September they defied the odds to claim a 2-1 victory from their trip to Arsenal and just one week later and on this very day they found themselves back in North London to take on Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Ironically, Spurs, who were managed by Spaniard Juande Ramos, had started the campaign in a way that many had expected from their visitors.
It was in fact their worst beginning to a season in 96 years and with just nine minutes on the clock, they'd lost again. Geovanni, who had scored last time out in the win at Arsenal, lined up a free kick 30 yards from goal and proceeded to power the ball beyond the reach of Heurelho Gomes.
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From that moment on Tottenham were the dominant force, but they could not beat Boaz Myhill in the away side's net. Gareth Bale and Jonathan Woodgate came close before the break, but both could only strike the woodwork.
Their best chance after the restart fell to Darren Bent, but while his lofted effort got the better of Myhill, it crept just wide of the upright as Hull held out for all three points.
"You could take the statistics and say from an objective point of view that Tottenham possibly deserved something, but from a subjective point of view, the best chances came for Hull and I like good defending," Brown said during his post-match interview.
"We defended manfully again and I am delighted with our first clean sheet. I love 1-0 wins. It's a fantastic result for a defensive coach."
Soon after Spurs replaced Ramos with Harry Redknapp and he led the Londoners up to eighth come the end of the season, while Hull avoided relegation on the final day as Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion were demoted.
Liam Apicella
