West Ham ended a three-game losing streak against 10-man Hull - but they made hard work of seeing off the spirited Tigers at Upton Park.
Visiting goalkeeper Allan McGregor was shown a straight red card after charging into Mo Diame, with Mark Noble dispatching the resulting penalty to set Sam Allardyce's side on course for their first Barclays Premier League win since 22 February.
But Steve Bruce's Hull did not lie down without a fight and made a good first of getting something out of the game, with Nikica Jelavic scoring his fourth goal for the club before a James Chester own goal gifted the Hammers a much-needed three points.
The majority of home fans inside of Upton Park were restless throughout the night as their side toiled against a side reduced in numbers for over an hour, with a small number jeering the players as they left the pitch at both half time and at the end of the game.
After an uneventful opening spell, with only a low shot from Hammers' winger Stewart Downing testing either goalkeeper, the game burst into life on 20 minutes.
West Ham, who had seen James Collins forced off with injury early on, were awarded a penalty as McGregor bundled into Diame after good work from Noble had freed his midfield partner in the box.
The ball hit Diame on the arm before McGregor made contact but referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot after the Senegal international 's goal-bound effort was hacked off the line by Maynor Figueroa.
McGregor required treatment following the collision but was shown a red card once he had recovered, becoming the first goalkeeper in almost a decade to be sent off twice in a Premier League season.
Bruce replaced son Alex with substitute goalkeeper Steve Harper, who could do nothing to prevent Noble converting the penalty and putting the home side ahead.
