Hull fans send clear message to Joe Cole during upset win over Man United as manager hits back

Hull City fans have had the first laugh and are hoping they have the last one too.

The Tigers announced their return to the Premier League with a superb 2-0 win over Manchester United in the lunchtime kick off.

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First-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy were enough to see off Michael Carrick’s men at the MKM Stadium and claim three valuable points in the club’s quest for survival.

And there was a little bit of history made as Sergej Jakirovic became the first Hull manager to beat Manchester United in the Premier League.

But attention from the stands quickly turned to TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole after comments he made about the club’s chances of survival earlier this week alongside our very own Carlton Cole, who refused to apologise on last night’s Sports Bar Weekender.

Former Chelsea and West Ham midfielder Joe Cole revealed that he intentionally ignored a request from TNT Sports to cover Hull’s Premier League opener.

Speaking on the ‘Dressing Room’ podcast alongside Carlton Cole, he also predicted that the club are certain to be relegated at the end of the season.

And it’s fair to say that his comments did not go down well with the Premier League new boys.

That led to Hull owner Acun Ilicali publicly slamming Cole’s comments live on talkSPORT on Friday.

And that was backed up by a packed out MKM Stadium on Saturday who called out the pundit during the match.

Fans were heard chanting: “Are you watching Joe Cole?”

The chants took place as Hull fans revelled in their side’s brilliant performance to sweep aside Carrick’s expensively-assembled side.

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Hull will use their detractors as a source of motivation

After the match, Jakirovic also had his say on Cole’s comments and his side’s objectives 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 know how difficult it is to get promotion from the Championship to the Premier League. It’s not easy.

“This is a big motivation for us and we will try to prove all these people wrong. This is our main goal this season.”

Cole did receive support over his comments from namesake and former teammate Carlton Cole.

The ex-Premier League striker took to Instagram urging fans not to take Cole’s comments too seriously and passed it off as ‘banter’.

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“We’ve come under a bit of fire at the Dressing Room. The Hull City fans are not happy with us,”

“Listen, a bit of back and forth, a bit of banter, it’s alright. It’s not the end of the world. One man’s opinion doesn’t make it right, doesn’t make it real.

“You might be disappointed with that opinion, but it’s alright. That’s the whole point of football. Yes, I did belly laugh when he said that you snuck in at the back door. I did. Come on, it’s funny. I’m laughing at my mate’s joke. I can do that.

“Joe thinks that you won’t stay up and it’s alright if you don’t stay up. It’s okay. You’ve done well to get to this point.

“I love Hull City,” he continued. “I’ve got admiration for Hull City. My son was there. He’s now at Middlesbrough, but when I look back, the fans were amazing.

He added: “So what I want from you is to suggest a forfeit. If you do stay up, or anybody that thinks Hull’s going to stay up, send your suggestions in for a forfeit for Joe Cole.”

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

Then it is back to Premier League duty with a trip to fellow promoted club Coventry before clashes against Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle.