Stoke succumbed to defeat by the Humber bridge as an injury time goal meant the points stayed at the KC Stadium.
With Robert Huth back in the side after suspension, the unlucky Andy Wilkinson once again the fall guy, the Potters immediately set out trying to seize the initiative and were denied a penalty after barely thirty seconds. Fuller burst down the right before swinging in a deep cross to Etherington. The winger put a first time cross in and appealed as the ball struck Mendy on the hand. All eyes looked at the referee but the official waved away the appeals and Hull were given a lucky break.
Bullard was making his Hull debut and, after shooting well wide a couple of minutes previous, he blazed a shot from 30 yards just wide of the post.
The Potters were the more attacking in the first half and although Altidore and Garcia had efforts at goal for the hosts, the visitors had numerous chances as Shawcross, Etherington and Whitehead all missed good opportunities before winger Etherington broke the deadlock on 29 minutes.
The ball was pumped forward by Shawcross and when it flew over the head of Beattie and the challenging defender it was collected by Etherington. His first touch knocked the ball into the space ahead of him. He raced into the box, following the ball, before smashing it past Duke at the near post to break the deadlock.
A clever free kick routine nearly resulted in a second but after involvement from Huth, Whelan, Etherington and Beattie the ball just evaded Fuller on the edge of the 6 yard box.
The defence had to remain alert and were lucky when Altidore, completely unmarked, headed wide from the penalty spot. A quick City break moments later saw Etherington put Whelan in on goal but he failed to get control of the ball and the defence recovered and dispossessed him.
The last chance of the first half saw ex-Potter Seyi Olofinjana roll Ryan Shawcross before, rather strangely, rolling the ball across goal. It was put behind everyone and cleared away by Stoke.
Stoke will still be left wondering how they failed to score a 2nd when, after a great one-two with Fuller, Etherington pushed the ball towards the far post. Gardner slid in to intercept the cross but could only prod it goalwards, with pace. Keeper Duke then stuck out an arm and deflected the ball away, it bouncing inches wide of the post for a fantastic save.
Few chances followed before the hosts pulled level on the hour mark. Olofinjana turned Whitehead before curling a shot into the top corner for a truly wonder goal. Sorenson could say he was unsighted but it would be hard to critise the keeper if he had seen it anyway.
Whelan thought he was in on goal five minutes later but the referee brought play back and, rather harshly, booked the Irishman for deliberate handball.
The Potters felt aggrieved again two minutes later when Fuller backheeled a Kitson pass into the path of Whitehead. The box-to-box midfielder was strongly challenged on the edge of the box but the ref waved away the appeals.
Stoke were lucky not to concede a second on seventy minutes as a long ball into the box caused mass panic. Sorenson slid to meet the delivery but missed the ball. With the goal gaping it got stuck under Fagan who, with Shawcross there putting him under pressure, was forced to turn away from goal as he stood. Sorenson recovered and spread himself as the striker turned and shot, resulting in the ball flying over the bar.
With nine minutes remaining Turkish international Tuncay was introduced, for what would be a very short stay on the pitch. In that time though he nearly got in on the potters goal action as a Whelan free kick was dinked to Shawcross. The England U21 international headed it across goal where the unmarked Tuncay was waiting for the tap in but the ball bounced up and over after striking the crossbar.
Stoke's day became a much more miserable one as three events made the mood worsen and worsen around the visitors area. Firstly captain Faye was sent off when, already on a yellow card, he flew in on Barmby and even with little contact he still did enough to earn a second yellow and a red card to leave the Potters with 10 men.
Pulis decided that he needed to bring Wilkinson on so he could move Huth across into the centre back area but decided to haul off Tuncay, just seven minutes after he came on. The Turk was furious and had to be calmed down by teammates before storming down the tunnel and into the changing rooms.
Unfortunately the worst was still to come as, in injury time, a Bullard effort was parried by Sorenson straight to Vennegoor of Hesselink who stayed composed and struck the ball past Sorenson to win the game for Hull.
Stoke: Sorenson; Huth, Shawcross, A.D.Faye, Collins; Delap, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington; Beattie(Kitson 60), Fuller(Tuncay 81(Wilkinson 88))