Had you wagered with any American soccer fan back in August that Landon Donovan would score his first Premier League goal before Jozy Altidore, he probably would have taken you up on it. You would have won that bet, too, as Altidore has struggled to find his form in his first Premier League season, leaving many Americans wondering why he hasn’t succeeded in England like he has in CONCACAF.

That might be changing. Since his return from compassionate leave in Haiti, Altidore’s form has soared, and he was rewarded today with his first Premier League goal in Hull City’s 2-1 upset of Manchester City.

Altidore opened his league account in the 31st minute, thanks in part to some fantastic hold-up play by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who collected the ball in the box with his back to the goal and set up the young American’s brilliant strike. It was Altidore’s second goal for Hull and his first since August 25, when he scored in a Carling Cup match against Southend United.

Altidore’s strike, however, was not the most brilliant of the day.

In the 54th minute, George Boateng scored his first goal for the Tigers with a spectacular volley that found its way through a crowd and into the top right-hand corner of the goal. Man City was able to pull one back five minutes later when Emmanuel Adebayor scored a mad scramble in front of Boaz Myhill’s goal, but that was all they could muster, as Hull City stayed on the front foot for most of the day and held Roberto Mancini’s side off at the end.

It was the second massive result of the week for Hull, who earned a 1-1 draw at home against league-leading Chelsea on Tuesday. Altidore and Vennegoor of Hesselink have started up front for Phil Brown for the last three games. The Tigers are unbeaten in those three and have lifted themselves 3 points clear of the relegation zone. Altidore won a penalty for Hull against Wolverhampton a week ago, which Stephen Hunt converted.

Will this forward tandem, combined with some excellent midfield play from Hunt, be enough to to keep Hull in the Premier League for another year? Time will tell, but for now, supporters of both the Tigers and the U.S. National Team will be wishing for Altidore to have many more days like today.

This is the second in a series of relegation assessments.  For a similar look at Bolton Wanderers.  Check here.

Hull City surprised everyone at the start of the season, winning six of their first nine, knocking off an over-confident Arsenal. The club lost composure. Phil Brown lost his sweet goatee, and perhaps his sanity. Hull won just two of their next 21 games, drifting from a solid European challenge to treading above the relegation zone. They currently set in thirteenth place, a mere four points over the drop.

Form: Hull have done nothing recently to suggest a resurgence. They have won just one of their last eight, and lost four. Shoring up their defense slightly may inject a bit of optimism, though, as the most generous side in the league (52 goals allowed), a 5-0 defeat seems perpetually possible. Hull may stay, but probably not because of a massive fortune turn.

Schedule: Hull’s schedule has difficult tests, though there are points available. The Tigers host both Liverpool and Manchester United, but have softer ties against Portsmouth and Stoke City. Hull also travel to fellow strugglers Middlesbrough and Sunderland. They also play Bolton and Aston Villa. A couple good results, particularly at the expense of clubs such as Middlesbrough and Sunderland could do a great deal to keep them up.

Injuries: Injuries have hurt Sunderland in midfield. George Boateng and Jimmy Bullard are the exact type of experienced, steady midfielders Hull needs to keep the ship upright. Unfortunately both are crocked. Boateng may be back by the end of April, but January-signing Bullard is out for the season. It’s difficult to replicate that type of presence.

Prognosis: Hull City should stay up. They have had an atrocious run of form. If they replicate that in the last eight matches, that would put them on 39 points, giving them a good chance at staying in the Premier League. Their first start and subsequent fall affect perceptions, but being in the position to stay up is an incredible feat, given their squad and pre-season expectations.

I admit it. I have a soft spot for underdogs. Three years ago, I was enamored by Wigan’s brilliant beginning to the season where they surprised so many teams and fans by playing attacking football. Two years ago, it was Reading’s turn to brighten up the Premier League. Last season there was no underdog, but this year we have Hull City, the Yorkshire Terriers of the Premier League.

After watching Hull’s gutsy performance against Manchester City in the 2-2 draw, here are 9 reasons why it’s impossible to not to love Hull City:

1. They give 100% whenever they go in for 50/50 balls,
2. Midfielder and captain Ian Ashbee has been at Hull City for seven years,
3. Geovanni. Say no more,
4. Striker Marlon King has regained his form despite being kicked off the Jamaica team and written off by many pundits when he was at Watford two seasons ago,
5. The foreign contingent of Kamil Zayatte, Daniel Cousin and George Boateng have been spectacular,
6. Defenders Paul McShane, Michael Turner, Zayatte and Andy Dawson have been a rock for Hull City at the back,
7. Unsung heroes such as Boaz Myhill, Dean Marney and Samuel Ricketts have been a joy to watch,
8. Phil Brown looks like a Sam Allardyce in training, which is exactly what he is (in a good sense), and
9. Perhaps most importantly of all, the entire squad plays together so well as a team.

Hull City is everything a Premier League underdog should be. They’re battlers. They’re a joy to watch. The fans are exuberant. Their stadium is sold out. And the eleven players on the pitch never give up.

Phil Brown has instilled a winning belief in the Hull City side. They don’t play in fear of their opponents. How could you not love a team like Hull City?