AT THE start of this season few would have been surprised to hear that a top six side was taking on the rock bottom club when Hull visits to the Lane on Sunday (3pm). But most would have been shocked to see that is was Premier League newcomers Hull City who hel

AT THE start of this season few would have been surprised to hear that a top six side was taking on the rock bottom club when Hull visits to the Lane on Sunday.

But most would have been shocked to see that is was Premier League newcomers Hull City who held sixth spot with big-spending Spurs marooned at the bottom.

Phil Brown's Tigers have been a revelation this season since they beat Bristol in the play-off final to hit the big-time for the first time in their history.

Hull clinched their first ever Premier League win when they beat Fulham at the KC Stadium on the opening day. A draw at Blackburn followed before the north-east outfit suffered a 5-0 trouncing at home to Wigan.

Yet the Tigers simply put the reverse behind them and followed up with the 2-1 defeat of Newcastle.

Marlon King, on loan from Wigan this season, scored twice with a 34th minute penalty and the 55th minute winner.

Hull's good form has continued with a 2-2 home draw with Everton.

Brown's men then produced the shock of the season so far when they beat title-chasing Arsenal 2-1 at The Emirates on Saturday, with Daniel Cousin and newcomer Geovanni (Man City) scoring the goals.

Paul McShane (Sunderland loan), George Boateng (Middlesbrough £1m), ex-Spurs Anthony Gardner (£2.5m) and Dean Marney, who joined in July 2006, all hope to play on Sunday.