We naturally went crazy when the net bulged and the realisation sank in that Barry Bannan had scored on Saturday.

In my mate's living room in front of a surprisingly good quality stream, with cans of Guinness and pistachio shells flying everywhere, it was mayhem.

The celebration was mixed with incredulous disbelief - we'd just been reduced to 10 men! And now we're winning! Away!

But that moment was almost less intense than the reaction to the final whistle. Disbelief was increased – after all Hull had just had an effort cleared off the line and then crashed a shot against the post.

Somehow, finally, at long last, Palace got some good luck.

To begin with, Cameron Jerome was brilliant. But a by-product of his performance was that Yannick Bolasie and Dwight Gayle were regularly able to get beyond our striker and attack, which sadly highlighted that while Bolasie got much better in the second half, his end product is extremely lacking.

I love the guy; he's a fan favourite for a reason – just look at the smile on his face when he's roasting someone down the flank – yet generally you want to scream at him for a bad decision every other time he has possession.

When Bolasie received his marching orders it felt like had this been six weeks ago, under Ian Holloway, we would've crumpled.

I can certainly picture Olly blaming everyone from the fourth official to the ticket office staff for the inevitable defeat, and then begrudgingly accepting his record-breaking FA fine.

However, I'd tentatively argue that both under Keith Millen and now with the excitement and hope of a new manager, our team have looked more positive and determined on the pitch.

Certainly less susceptible to rolling over, clutching a script of pre-arranged excuses.

My biggest praise (aside from Jerome, and obviously the skilful and tireless Bannan) goes to Danny Gabbidon and Damien Delaney.

Your Local Guardian:

Excellent: Damien Delaney was in fine form at Hull City

The pairing were somehow even better and more dependable than against Everton.

Having said that, if they can keep Lukaku at bay at Selhurst then logically Danny Graham and Yannick Sagbo at the KC Stadium should be easy... but things don't usually work that way in football.

As a result of all this disconcerting optimism, a few friends reckon another three points at Norwich is on the cards.

And with West Ham then Cardiff in a row things are starting to lean more towards "exciting" or "encouraging" than "utterly depressing" for the first time all season.

Of course, I won't ever get my hopes up about any game in the Premier League. But (whisper it) Norwich do look dreadful.

Nevertheless, the series of games over the next couple of weeks is surely the least formidable run we'll face this campaign.

So it's not out of the question to hope - and dream - of another win or two before Christmas. I hate to jinx it, but things are very, very cautiously starting to look up.