Hull stun Manchester United 2-0 on Premier League return to silence doubting Joe Cole

Hull City announced their return to the Premier League in emphatic fashion, defeating Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium on Saturday — their first top-flight fixture since 2017 — and turning the occasion into a pointed rebuke of pundit Joe Cole.

Cole had courted controversy in the build-up by saying on The Dressing Room podcast that he had turned down an offer to work as a pundit at the game because he would be “stunned if they stayed up.” He also dismissed Hull’s play-off promotion, remarking: “They’ve come here through the back door, they’ve slipped in.”

The Tigers made their feelings clear in the 38th minute when Nobel Mendy scored Hull’s second goal, triggering an “Are you watching, Joe Cole?” chant around the stadium. The same refrain rang out again at full time as the home crowd savoured a result few outside the club had anticipated.

Hull’s social media team were equally sharp in their response, posting on X after the final whistle: “Came through the back door. Left with three points.”

Owner Acun Ilicali had set the tone before kick-off, telling reporters he had grown accustomed to — and even relished — the lack of respect shown to his club. “This year, everybody’s making predictions. When it comes to Hull, they don’t even talk, just put ‘Hull, 20’ then go straight to the next team,” he said. “That’s what we like, I like, our fans like, because we want to be underdogs.”

Ilicali also recalled the scepticism he encountered when he first took over the club, describing an agent who told him promotion was “impossible” — a conversation he ended immediately. “I cannot explain to you how happy I am now to see this beautiful atmosphere,” he added.

The result is a statement opening for a side widely tipped for an immediate return to the Championship, and it hands newly-promoted Hull their first Premier League win over Manchester United.