Turner prize keeps Hull flying high

Hull's Premier League fairytale shows no sign of turning sour as the Tigers roared back into third place with a 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.

Phil Brown's side are playing in the top flight for the first time in their 104-year history and were widely tipped for a quick return to the relative obscurity of Championship football.

But Hull have defied those expectations in spectacular fashion.

Michael Turner's second half header at a disbelieving KC Stadium clinched Hull's third successive win – and their fifth win in eight matches – to send them above Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa.

They are just three points behind leaders Chelsea and, while a finish in the Champions League places is surely a dream too far, Brown's men have already gone along way to securing their Premier League status.

West Ham striker Craig Bellamy, back from injury, was handed his first league start this season by Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola.

But it was Hull, full of confidence after their sensational start to life among the English game's elite, who took control in the early stages.

Andy Dawson's superb long pass set up a chance for Daniel Cousin, who skipped inside two Hammers defenders before delivering a cross that just eluded Marlon King.

King headed straight at Robert Green from a Paul McShane cross in the 11th minute as the Tigers continued to dominate.

West Ham finally found some rhythm and went close to taking the lead in the 15th minute when Bellamy crossed to the unmarked Carlton Cole, only for the striker to shoot straight at Boaz Myhill.

Dean Marney volleyed just wide from a King cross but the Hammers continued to threaten and Herita Ilunga headed a Scott Parker corner just wide from close range.

It was West Ham who finished the half on top as Valon Behrami fired wide from long range.

Bellamy had a sight of goal on the stroke of half-time when he collected Cole's clever nod down in the box but the Wales forward blazed high and wide from a tight angle.

Hull rediscovered their high tempo after half-time and took the lead in the 51st minute when Dawson sent in a throw from the right and Turner out-jumped Upson to head the opener past Green.

Cole should have equalised two minutes later when he met Behrami's cross on the edge of the six yard box, but the striker lashed his shot against the underside of the bar.

Having survived that scare, the home side grew in confidence and Kamil Zayette came close in the 56th minute when he steamrollered out of defence before lashing a long-range effort just over the bar.

Cole remained a danger for West Ham and his cross in the 68th minute found Matthew Etherington, who volleyed into the side-netting from a tight angle.

That was the last serious threat from Zola's side though and Hull were able to add the Hammers to a growing list of London scalps which already included Arsenal, Spurs and Fulham.