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Hull City supporters took aim at former Chelsea star Joe Cole during their stunning 2-0 victory over Manchester United, taking particular delight in reminding the TNT Sports pundit of his pre-season prediction about their Premier League survival chances.
The Tigers marked their return to the top flight for the first time since 2017 in spectacular fashion, beating Michael Carrick's Manchester United at the MKM Stadium thanks to first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy.
But the result also gave Hull supporters the perfect opportunity to settle a score with Cole after his comments on The Dressing Room podcast earlier this week.
Cole had been asked about Hull's chances of remaining in the Premier League and admitted he would be “stunned if they stayed up”. He also suggested he had avoided the opportunity to cover their opening-day fixture, saying he had put his phone on “do not disturb”.
Those comments angered Hull supporters and even prompted criticism from owner Acun Ilicali, who described the pundits' treatment of the club as disrespectful.
Hull fans make Joe Cole pay for relegation prediction
The home crowd did not forget Cole's comments, and they made their feelings known after Nobel Mendy headed Hull into a 2-0 lead in the 38th minute, as supporters inside the MKM Stadium broke into chants of “Are you watching, Joe Cole?”
The chant was repeated later in the match as the Tigers moved closer to one of the biggest results in their recent history.
There was also a response from Hull themselves, as Cole had previously questioned the legitimacy of their promotion by suggesting they had “come through the back door” after winning the Championship play-offs.
Following Saturday's victory, the club posted on social media: “Came through the back door. Left with three points.”
It was a pointed response to the former England international's comments and summed up the mood around the MKM Stadium as Hull celebrated an extraordinary start to their Premier League return.
Acun Ilicali welcomes Hull's underdog status
Ilicali had already addressed the controversy before kick-off, making it clear that he was comfortable with Hull being written off.
The Turkish businessman said he had become used to seeing his club tipped for relegation and suggested the predictions could ultimately work in their favour.
“When it comes to Hull, they don't even talk, just put ‘Hull, 20' then go straight to the next team,” Ilicali said.
“That's what we like, I like, our fans like, because we want to be underdogs.”
The chairman's comments reflected the mentality that has helped Hull embrace their status as outsiders after securing promotion through the play-offs last season.
Manager Sergej Jakirovic also appeared determined to use the doubts surrounding his side as motivation. Hull had been widely tipped to go straight back down, but they produced a disciplined performance to frustrate United and claim a historic three points.
FGG Says: Hull have answered Joe Cole in the best possible way
Cole's prediction was always likely to provoke a reaction given the way his comments were delivered, but Hull could not have responded more effectively.
Beating Manchester United on the opening weekend is a far stronger answer than any social media post or chant, though the Tigers still have a long way to go if they are to prove the pundits wrong over a full Premier League season.