Hull City fans had the first laugh and hope to have the last one.

The Tigers marked their return to the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the midday kickoff.

Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scored first-half goals to defeat Michael Carrick’s side at the MKM Stadium and earn three important points in the club’s survival bid.

Sergej Jakirovic became the first Hull manager to defeat Manchester United in the Premier League.

But focus in the stands swiftly shifted to TNT Sports analyst Joe Cole after comments he made regarding the club’s chances of survival earlier this week, as well as our own Carlton Cole, who refused to apologise on last night’s Sports Bar Weekender.

Joe Cole, a former Chelsea and West Ham midfielder, confessed that he purposefully refused TNT Sports’ invitation to cover Hull’s Premier League opening.

He also predicted that the club will be relegated at the end of the season.

It’s safe to say that his words were not well received by the Premier League’s newcomers.

Hull owner Acun Ilicali responded by openly condemning Cole’s comments live on talkSPORT on Friday.

And it was supported by a sold-out MKM Stadium on Saturday, as fans booed the pundit throughout the game.

Fans chanted, “Are you watching Joe Cole?”

The chanting came as Hull fans celebrated their team’s superb performance in defeating Carrick’s expensively built side.

Hull will exploit their doubters for inspiration.

After the game, Jakirovic spoke about Cole’s comments and his team’s goals for the season.

“It’s a big motivation for us because somebody underestimated you, especially from an ex-player,” Jakirovic told talkSPORT.

“Because you were a professional and understand how difficult it is to gain promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.” It is not easy.

“This is a huge motivator for us, and we intend to prove all of these individuals incorrect. “This is our primary goal this season.”

With three points, Hull focused their attention on the Carabao Cup and a midweek trip to Championship side Stoke City.

Then it’s back to Premier League action, with a trip to fellow promoted team Coventry before games against Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Newcastle.