After our first-ever top-flight game, Hull City are the joint leaders of the Premier League after recording an opening day victory against Fulham at the KC Stadium.
They had to do it the hard way after Seol Ki-Hyeon gave the visitors an early lead, but goals from Geovanni and substitute Caleb Folan made it a memorable day for the Tigers.
Marlon King was thrown straight into the Tigers' starting line-up after signing a season-long loan deal on Thursday.
Nick Barmby was handed a start on the left with Richard Garcia selected on the right.
Meanwhile, Ian Ashbee, Boaz Myhill and Andy Dawson all started to complete their journey from the Third Division to the Premier League with Hull City.
Phil Brown named an attacking bench with Craig Fagan, Folan and Dean Windass all selected amongst the substitutes.
The starting XI included seven Tigers who also started the Play-Off Final win against Bristol City twelve weeks earlier.
And so, after a rapturous welcome from a packed KC Stadium, the first blast of Peter Walton's whistle brought a 104-year wait for top flight football to an end.
The Tigers were playing Premier League football.
It could have been a disappointing start for the home side as Ki-Hyeon beat Michael Turner down the left before picking out Bobby Zamora in the middle, but he fired an effort into the ground and into Myhill's hands.
Equally, it could have been a dream start for City when, in the third minute, they created their first chance.
Richard Garcia nodded a deep left-wing cross back across goal for Geovanni. His header was brilliantly saved by Mark Schwarzer before Ashbee's follow-up seemed to be kept out by a combination of Schwarzer and the post.
Sadly for City, it was Fulham who took the lead in the eighth minute. Ki-Hyeon rose the highest to connect with a right-wing cross and plant a header into the bottom corner of the net.
Although City were trying to play their way back into the game, it was Fulham who looked the more dangerous in attack.
On 17 minutes, Simon Davies saw a shot from 16 yards deflected over and from the resulting corner, John Pantsil headed wide at the far post.
Two minutes later, Jimmy Bullard's corner picked out Davies, who produced a brilliant volley which only just cleared the bar.
It was becoming something of a procession for Fulham with Zoltan Gera the next to have a chance, although he sliced horribly wide when unmarked at the far post.
That procession was ended in style on 23 minutes when the Tigers levelled.
Geovanni picked up possession and advanced towards the Fulham area before curling a beautiful left-footed shot beyond Schwarzer and into the bottom corner of the net.
It was a wonderful way for the Brazilian to mark his league debut for the club and provided yet another memorable moment on a historic day for City.
Sam Ricketts picked up the first yellow card of the afternoon after hauling down Gera, who was looking to set up a quick attack after Ashbee had been robbed of possession.
City were starting to look more comfortable, although Myhill had to get down to save Gera's 20-yarder.
Andy Dawson was booked two minutes before the break following a sliding on Ki-Hyeon.
The Tigers went close to taking a lead into the interval when Ricketts' deep free kick found Barmby but his header went across goal and just wide.
Half Time: Tigers 1-1 Fulham
Gera missed a great chance to put his side back in front two minutes into the second half.
He appeared to be in offside position but play was allowed to continue, the left winger firing wide when free in the box.
George Boateng's fabulous cross-field pass then set King away down the right and his cross was blocked behind for a corner.
Dawson's delivery found the head of Michael Turner, but his effort went just over.
City should have gone in front on 58 minutes when neat build-up play involving King ended with Geovanni somehow firing wide from Barmby's perfect cross.
The Brazilian then had claims for a penalty waved away as he looked to pounce on some hesitancy in the Fulham defence.
Brown made his first change shortly after the hour mark as Peter Halmosi came on for Nick Barmby.
Halmosi almost set up a goal with one of his first touches when his ball across found Garcia, but his low effort was snatched by Schwarzer.
That was followed by City's second change as Folan replaced King before the final switch saw Garcia replaced by Fagan.
With just eight minutes remaining, the Tigers went in front.
Paul Konchesky dwelled on the ball for far too long, allowing Fagan to nip in and steal it.
Fagan then kept his cool to square to Folan who applied the finish from six yards.
Moments later, there was a long delay when Boateng went down following a midfield challenge.
It was a worrying sight, but the summer signing was back on his feet shortly after and soon back into the action.
Fagan became the third player to be booked as the entered the 90th minute when he brought substitute Clint Dempsey down on the left wing.
The announcement of five minutes added time was greeted with dismay by the home crowd and when Boateng went down once again, it meant City would have to see out the game with only ten men.
They managed to get through added time fairly comfortably to record a memorable opening day victory.
Tigers (4-4-1-1) Boaz Myhill; Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Anthony Gardner, Andy Dawson; Richard Garcia (Fagan 74), Ian Ashbee [captain], George Boateng, Nick Barmby (Halmosi 62); Geovanni; Marlon King (Folan 70).
Subs: Matt Duke, Bernard Mendy, Dean Marney, Peter Halmosi, Craig Fagan, Caleb Folan, Dean Windass.
Bookings: Ricketts 29, Dawson 44, Fagan 90
Fulham (4-4-2) Mark Schwarzer; John Pantsil, Aaron Hughes, Brede Hangeland, Paul Konchesky; Simon Davies, Jimmy Bullard, Danny Murphy [captain] (Andreasen 85), Zoltan Gera; Seol Ki-Hyeon (Nevland 85), Bobby Zamora (Dempsey 81).
Subs: Pascal Zuberbuhler, Andranik, Erik Nevland, Fredrik Stoor, Clint Dempsey, Leon Andreasen, Toni Kallio.
Bookings: Nil
Referee: Mr P. Walton
Attendance: 24,525 (new record for a Hull City game at the KC Stadium)
