Hull celebrate on their way to another Premier League victory
Only goal difference separates Hull from the top of the Premier League after a comprehensive victory over fellow top-flight newcomers West Brom.
Albion's Jonas Olsson headed against the bar after Borja Valero's shot had been saved before Kamil Zayatte headed wide when unmarked as Hull fought back.
Zayatte volleyed Hull in front from a corner for his first goal for the club.
Brazilian Geovanni made it 2-0 with a diving header after Marlon King's flick before King slotted in a low shot.
It was the fourth successive win for Hull and takes them to level on points with leaders Chelsea and second-placed Liverpool who play each other on Sunday.
Phil Brown's men also moved four points clear of fourth-placed Arsenal, who also play on Sunday, and five ahead of Manchester United who drew with Everton earlier on Saturday.
The win continued the Tigers fantastic start to the season but as the match began at The Hawthorns, it looked like their impressive form may have hit a blip as they found themselves pinned back by West Brom.
Albion's 4-4-2 formation, with striker Ishmael Miller in for winger Chris Brunt, was quickly proving more threatening than their recent 4-5-1 strategy.
And when Miller was blocked off by left-back Andy Dawson, Hull suffered a blow as the left-back picked up an injury that saw him replaced by Samuel Ricketts after only 10 minutes.
West Brom's early dominance was almost rewarded when Olsson headed against the bar after Valero's shot was well saved by Boaz Myhill, and Roman Bednar almost squeezed in the second rebound.
'Soft goals' frustrate Mowbray
Hull made a rare break and won a corner, and from the set-piece they should have taken the lead but Zayatte's downward header bounced wide.
West Brom keeper Scott Carson was then called into action when Daniel Cousin's deflected shot caught him wrong-footed but the keeper did brilliantly to scoop the ball off the line.
The game was open and in the balance, with both sides looking capable of breaking the deadlock but it was Hull who managed it.
From a corner, on-loan centre-back Zayatte volleyed in as Albion's defence stood still.
West Brom came back strongly and Ryan Donk had a header cleared off the line before James Morrison saw his shot well saved by Myhill.
Interview: Hull boss Phil Brown
But then two goals in four minutes sealed the victory for the Tigers.
First, King produced a superb volleyed flick for Geovanni to run onto and meet with a diving header which left Carson with no chance.
And then King himself ran on to the ball after it had come off a West Brom head, before coolly slotting into the bottom corner.
That rounded off another fine win for Hull, who have already accumulated 20 points this season - double the total of West Brom.
West Brom boss Tony Mowbray:
"We created enough chances to put the game to bed in the opening half.
"There was lots of decent play in between the boxes but we have to improve in both boxes.
"We cannot continue to miss chances when they come along.
"I think the 3-0 scoreline was harsh but we have the ability to bounce back from negative results."
Hull boss Phil Brown:
"We rode our luck in the first 15 minutes and that happens when you are flying high.
"In the last 15 minutes before the break we started to get our game together.
"It is our third clean sheet on the bounce and that give us the foundation to win games.
"We have had a dream start with 20 points and if we repeat that in the next 10 games then I will be a happy man."
West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison (Moore 80), Greening, Koren (Brunt 80), Borja Valero, Miller (MacDonald 80), Bednar.
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Barnett.
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