Tottenham Hotspur made a return to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday with a 2-1 victory at 10-man Hull City.
The hosts took the lead with just seven minutes played as former Spurs midfielder Jake Livermore found the bottom corner with a strike from the edge of the box.
However, their chances of closing out the game were dealt a blow early in the second half as Gaston Ramirez was sent off for kicking out at Jan Vertonghen.
Tottenham made their numerical advantage count 10 minutes later when Harry Kane equalised with an instinctive effort after Christian Eriksen had hit the woodwork, and the turnaround was complete with just minutes remaining as Eriksen struck from 20 yards.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at the KC Stadium.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League meeting between Hull City and Tottenham Hotspur at the KC Stadium. There is plenty at stake for both sides this afternoon and we should have team news through for you shortly.
SPURS: Lloris; Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Dembele, Mason, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane, Soldado
SPURS SUBS: Vorm, Ball, Chiriches, Ceballos, Lennon, Paulinho, Stambouli
After seeing his side lose 2-1 at home to Stoke City last time out, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has made six changes for this afternoon's match. Eric Dier, Jan Vertonghen and Ben Davies all return in defence, while Erik Lamela, Moussa Dembele and Roberto Soldado are recalled higher up the pitch.
HULL: McGregor; Elmohamady, Dawson, Davies, Robertson; Brady, Huddlestone, Livermore, Ben Arfa; Ramirez; Jelavic
HULL SUBS: Harper, Rosenior, Chester, Meyler, Hernandez, Sagbo, Quinn
Following his team's 1-0 defeat to Burnley before the international break, Hull boss Steve Bruce has made five changes today as Allan McGregor, Gaston Ramirez, Michael Dawson, Andy Robertson and Nikica Jelavic are all given the nod. James Chester and Abel Hernandez drop to the bench, while Sone Aluko, Paul McShane and Mo Diame miss out altogether.
It's fair to say that both of these team are not in the best of form at the moment. A four-game winless run for Hull has seen the Tigers drop to within a point of the relegation zone, while three defeats in their last four matches have put Spurs in the bottom half of the standings. You can take a look at the table as it stands here.
Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris: "Hull is a difficult place to win but we don't have a choice, we need to bounce back and return to winning ways. We know the position we're in in the table but we also know we can turn it around quickly with some wins. Our target is to win at Hull, to find our confidence and to play with fighting spirit."
It's a special day for three of the Hull players as they come up against their former club. Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore are the trio, and Dawson has had a few words on the matter.
Hull might well fancy their chances against Tottenham this afternoon, but it's worth pointing out that the Tigers have one of the worst home record in the Premier League. Steve Bruce's side have taken just five points from a possible 15 at the KC Stadium so far this season. Meanwhile, Spurs' away record is fairly respectable having taken eight points from 15 up for grabs.
UPDATE: Today's early kickoff in the Premier League has just ended at Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace have come from behind to earn a 3-1 win over Liverpool. You can read our instant match report here. (Just promise to come back.)
Got a few minutes to spare before kickoff? Why not check out our video preview for today's encounter at the KC Stadium:
HEAD TO HEAD: It's Spurs who have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these sides, winning eight games compared to six for Hull. There have also been seven draws since they first met nearly 100 years ago.
Spurs have been the dominant force in this fixture in recent years, going unbeaten in their last six encounter with Hull. Three of those results were victories, including a 5-1 triumph at the KC Stadium back in August 2009. Hull's last win over Tottenham came back October 2008.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has come under a fair bit of criticism in recent weeks due to the stuttering form of his side, but the Argentine has remained defiant. However, what would another defeat this afternoon do for his prospects? It seems massively unlikely that chairman Daniel Levy will wield the axe, though stranger things have happened, particularly in the Premier League.
And what of Steve Bruce? There can be no denying that he has done an excellent job of transforming Hull, but how much longer will the owners put up with the team's slump in form? We all know that the shelf life of a Premier League boss is getting shorter and shorter, and Bruce will be well aware that he needs to turn his side's fortunes around soon.
One player who impressed during the international break was Hull and Scotland full-back Andrew Robertson, and Steve Bruce admits that it could be difficult to keep hold of the 20-year-old if he keeps improving like he is:
"There has already been one or two with phone calls asking 'to keep me informed'. That's always the first stage. And if this kid keeps performing the way he is then it might become inevitable.
"We will have to protect him over the next couple of years I would have thought, but certainly if he keeps improving the way he is then he's got a wonderful future ahead of him."
As kickoff fast approaches, the players from both teams are starting to emerge in the tunnel at the KC Stadium. Curtis Davies stands at the front of the Hull line, while Hugo Lloris heads the Spurs lineup in the absence of Younes Kaboul.
Here come the teams! There are plenty of fans crammed into the ground, all hoping to see an entertaining game this afternoon. Hull aren't always synonymous with dazzling football, but Spurs usually provide drama of some sort when they're out on the pitch.
KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match rituals have been done and it will be Spurs to kick us off. Here we go!
It's been a fairly high-tempo start to the match, with both sides fighting doggedly for possession. One opening for the visitors sees Kane do well down the left, but there's no one in the centre to meet his teasing cross. It's Spurs who are probably just on top in these opening stages.
Something of a half-chance for the away side now as Soldado's low effort from 20 yards is easily held by McGregor. It wasn't that good a drive from the Spaniard, but Hull will be eager not to let him have too much space like that in those sort of areas.
The game is still being played at a frantic pace, with Hull in particular doing a good job of pressing Spurs high up the pitch. Steve Bruce will be pleased with what he's seen from his side so far this afternoon. Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino is looking a little bit perturbed on the touchline.
GOAL! HULL 1-0 SPURS (LIVERMORE)
Bang! What a great strike from former Spurs midfielder Livermore to give Hull the lead! He receives the ball about 20 yards from goal after the visitors fail to clear their lines and he smashes a low drive into the far corner past Lloris. Livermore refuses to celebrate the moment, but his Hull teammates are delighted.
Tottenham have responded well to going behind, but Mauricio Pochettino is still looking concerned in the dugout. The visitors could have done a lot better for that goal as they allowed Livermore far too much time to strike the ball home. Still, there's plenty of time for them to turn things around.
Hull will be very pleased with how things are going right now because they're doing a good job of stifling Spurs while also looking dangerous on the counter-attack. The home side's midfielders have shown plenty of energy and commitment so far. However, one area of concern will be whether they can keep this intensity up for the remainder of the encounter.
CHANCE! Confusion in the Spurs box as Lloris comes for a cross and gets nowhere near it, but the visitors eventually get the ball clear for a corner before Hull clear again.
SAVE! Lloris now redeems himself by making a fine save to deny Brady! The Frenchman gets down low to push the midfielder's effort from the centre of the box away before he makes a second stop soon after to keep Jelavic out.
It's just not working for Spurs in the final third, as demonstrated by that wasted opportunity from Eriksen. The Dane leads a decent counter-attack for the visitors, but his pass to Soldado is a poor one that Hull deal with easily. Tottenham are second best in pretty much every department right now.
Credit to Steve Bruce, he's not letting his players take their foot off the gas. The Hull boss is back on the touchline, barking out instructions to his team. Meanwhile, a long ball into the Hull box is well dealt with by Dawson, who chests it back to McGregor in goal.
This is better from Spurs, who are starting to build up some possession and a bit of pressure on their opponents. However, that final ball is still lacking. Eriksen tries to make something happen on the edge of the area, but his shot is deflected wide for a corner, which is wasted when Soldado plants a poor header off target.
The visitors win a free kick about 25 yards from goal as Huddlestone commits a foul before Kane hits a disappointing effort straight at the wall. That seemed like a really long build up for something not very special at all. Despite that missed chance, this is still a decent spell from Tottenham.
YELLOW CARD! Tottenham full-back Eric Dier is the first player to be booked this afternoon after chopping down Robertson on the left flank. That was a silly card to pick up because Robertson wasn't going anywhere.
Tottenham are continuing to see the lion's share of possession, but they're looking very two-dimensional in the build-up play. Meanwhile, Brady receives treatment for a blow to the face following a collision with Dier. However, it looks as if he's going to be okay.
CHANCE! Spurs create arguably their best opportunity yet as Lamela hits a stinging drive from about 25 yards out on the left of the penalty area, only to see his effort pushed away by McGregor. That should give the visitors some encouragement because they've been toothless up front so far.
Referee Craig Pawson is needing to keep his focus here. The game is starting to get quite scrappy, particularly in midfield. Ramirez is the latest player to hit the deck following a high boot from Eriksen, though he seems to be okay. There was minimal contact.
Ramirez and Jelavic link well as the former sets the latter away down the left. Jelavic's cross is cut out for a corner, but Ben Arfa's delivery misses everyone in the box and Spurs clear. Just a couple of minutes of normal time remaining at the end of the first half.
CHANCE! Oh, what a cross from Eriksen! The Dane gets the ball out on the right before hitting a superb low cross right into the heart of the Hull box. Unfortunately for him, no one gets on the end of it and the home side quell the danger. There will be just the one minute of added time.
HALF TIME: HULL 1-0 SPURS
The half-time whistle goes, bringing an end to an intriguing opening 45 minutes at the KC Stadium. Hull currently lead 1-0 thanks to a goal from former Spurs midfielder Jake Livermore and it's fair to say that they deserve their advantage. Meanwhile, Tottenham have been underwhelming.
Hull manager Steve Bruce will be delighted with what he's seen from his team so far. They've played at a high tempo and have made life very difficult for the visitors. Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino will probably be scratching his head right about now wondering what he has to do to get his side to click. Yet again Tottenham have been listless and uninspired. Could this be a fourth defeat in five games for the North-London club?
While he refused to celebrate against his former club, Jake Livermore would have been inwardly thrilled with his goal on seven minutes. The midfielder hit the ball as sweet as a nut from about 20 yards, finding the far corner to give Hugo Lloris no chance. However, it would be fair to say that he could probably have been closed down a bit quicker by the Spurs players.
UPDATE! Today's early kickoff in the Premier League was at Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace came from behind to beat Liverpool 3-1. You can take a look at our match report for that one right here.
How long will it be before Mauricio Pochettino looks to use his substitutes? The Argentine has few attacking options available to him on the bench, though it may not be long before we see Aaron Lennon introduced to the action. Steve Bruce has Yannick Sagbo and Abel Hernandez at his disposal if he wants to give the Tottenham defence more problems in the second half, though he could well turn to the likes of James Chester and Liam Rosenior to shore things up.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are out for the second half and it will be Hull who get us back underway. Spurs have made one change at the break, with Vlad Chiriches replacing Eric Dier.
It's been a lively start to the second half as both sides jostle for supremacy. Kane has the Hull defence worries when he dribbles his way into the box, but he's thwarted by a superb tackle from Dawson. That was excellent defending from the former Spurs captain because he had to time that perfectly.
RED CARD! RAMIREZ (HULL)
Now then! Hull are down to 10 men in controversial fashion as Gaston Ramirez is shown a straight red card for kicking out at Vertonghen. The midfielder lashed out at Vertonghen after the pair went to ground, but it's a harsh decision from the referee, who consulted his linesman before dismissing Ramirez. How much of an impact is that going to have on the rest of the game?
Spurs are already making their extra man count as they crank up the pressure on Hull. Lamela receives the ball out on the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but it goes out of play before a teammate can get on the end of it. As you might imagine, Steve Bruce is speaking to the fourth official about that red card. The Hull boss is not happy with the decision in the slightest.
HULL SUB: The hosts make a tactical change as David Meyler replaces Hatem Ben Arfa. Spurs are all over Hull at the moment and Steve Bruce has had to shuffle his pack accordingly.
CHANCE! So close to an equaliser for Spurs! Davies whips a wonderful cross into the Hull box from the left, but Soldado can only poke the ball wide while on the stretch. The visitors then make a change, with Aaron Lennon replacing Mousa Dembele. Mauricio Pochettino clearly feels that the pace of Lennon can do some damage to Hull during this final half an hour or so.
GOAL! HULL 1-1 SPURS (KANE)
It's been coming! Spurs get themselves level thanks to an instinctive strike from Harry Kane! The visitors have a free kick about 25 yards from goal that Eriksen hits the woodwork with, but Kane is there to tap home the rebound and get his team back in this match. What a season the youngster is having.
YELLOW CARD! Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone goes into the book for a high boot, while Jake Livermore is also cautioned for dissent. The home team are suddenly falling apart after looking so strong earlier in the game. That red card for Ramirez has changed everything.
HULL SUB: That is Huddlestone's last involvement in this match as he goes off for Liam Rosenior.
CHANCE! Spurs carve Hull apart once more, this time down the right as a cross is put on a plate for Soldado. However, the striker can only guide his shot the wrong side of the post from about 10 yards out. The look on his face says it all. He really should have buried that opportunity.
CHANCE! Spurs again! It really should be 2-1! Lennon floats a great cross into the heart of the Hull box for Kane, who somehow heads wide from only a couple of yards out. How did he not put that one in the back of the net? Tottenham are all over Hull right now.
It looks like a matter of time before Spurs take the lead in this match. They are camped out in the Hull half and the hosts are struggling to cope. Their latest chance comes to Mason, but his speculative drive is pushed away by McGregor. Tottenham then win a couple of corners in quick succession, though they fail to make anything of them.
MISS! Erik Lamela has never scored a Premier League goal for Spurs and you can see why with that miss. The summer signing worked himself some space in the Hull penalty area before shanking a right-footed shot high over the crossbar.
Hull aren't giving up on this match just yet. A rare venture forward from the hosts sees Elmohamady put a cross into the path of Jelavic, who puts a difficult volley over the crossbar. That was a difficult chance for the Croatian, though he did well to even make contact with the ball.
SPURS SUB: The visitors make another change now as Roberto Soldado is replaced by Paulinho. The Brazilian midfielder will be expected to add some mettle to his team's midfield during the final 13 minutes or so.
Livermore is lucky to still be on the pitch. The Hull midfielder chops down Mason from behind, but referee Craig Pawson does nothing about it. That should have been a second booking for the goalscorer. It was arguably worse than what Ramirez did for his red card.
Spurs are adopting a more patient approach now, but they're still spending plenty of time in the Hull half. The hosts are going to have to stay focused during these final few minutes because Tottenham are going to be throwing everything at them.
HULL SUB: Another swap for Hull sees Stephen Quinn enter the action in place of Robbie Brady. Four minutes of normal time remaining at the KC Stadium and you'd have to say that a draw would be a very good result for the hosts now.
GOAL! HULL 1-2 SPURS (ERIKSEN)
They've done it! Spurs turn the game around thanks to a fine strike from Christian Eriksen! Some intricate passing around the edge of the box sees the Dane end up with the ball and he drills a low shot, similar to Livermore's opener, into the far corner past the hand of McGregor. Meanwhile, the fourth official holds up a board showing FOUR MINUTES of stoppage time.
YELLOW CARD! Hull full-back Andrew Robertson gets his name in the book after saying something out of turn to the referee.
FULL TIME: HULL 1-2 SPURS
Referee Craig Pawson blows the full-time whistle and Spurs have the win thanks to that late goal from Eriksen. It wasn't always pretty from the visitors, but they came into their own once Hull went down to 10 men with that Ramirez red card. Steve Bruce is likely to be fuming with the officials over that decision and for his side letting their lead slip.
That's all from our live text coverage of today's match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again very soon. Goodbye!
