Everything Marco Silva touches turns to gold right now.
The Fulham boss, whose first game as Hull boss came exactly six years earlier, has taken the Cottagers to seventh in the Premier League with three straight wins since Boxing Day.
Now they are in the FA Cup fourth round following goals by a pair of loanees, Paris St-Germain defender Layvin Kurzawa and Leeds United winger Dan James scoring either side of half-time.
Marco Silva enjoyed a successful return to the club where he made his start in English football
The Tigers enjoyed a strong start to the first half but were unable to find a goal to go ahead
PSG loanee Layvin Kurzawa scored his first goal for the Cottagers in the 2-0 victory at Hull
French left-back Kurzawa, who became the first defender to score a hat-trick in the Champions League with a treble for PSG against Anderlecht in 2017, grabbed his first Fulham goal on just his second appearance before James added a second at the death.
It was a sweet occasion for Silva, who made his name at Hull before spells at Watford and Everton preceded his appointment at Craven Cottage in July 2021.
The Portuguese admitted Hull still has a place in his heart, saying: ‘It’s always a special moment to come here and see faces who helped me in my career.
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‘It’s six years since my first game in charge of Hull on January 7, 2017 [a 2-0 home win over Swansea in the FA Cup third round].
‘Yes, it’s a nice coincidence. Once again, we showed we have a winning mentality.’
Championship battlers Hull have been upwardly mobile since ex-Fulham defender Liam Rosenior took the reins in November.
Rosenior played in the Hull team managed by Steve Bruce who memorably reached the 2014 FA Cup final, losing 3-2 to Arsenal in extra-time after going 2-0 up.
The only occasion that Fulham have reached the FA Cup final was in 1975 when they beat Hull in the third round before losing to West Ham at Wembley.
The Tigers made eight changes to their side for this match and, despite their recent improved league form, wins on home soil remain hard to come by.
They last tasted victory at the MKM Stadium in early October and could not make their early vibrancy pay against the Cottagers.
After Harvey Vale fired wide when clean through early on and Lewie Coyle’s effort was tipped around the post by Marek Rodak, Fulham’s class told.
The hosts improved following multiple substitutions but were unable to find an equalising goal
They scored in the 37th minute when Harry Wilson’s curling shot was saved by Matt Ingram but fell to Kurzawa who tucked the ball away from close range.
Hull came on strongly in the second half but Fulham refused to buckle and a late breakaway saw James fire into an empty net with the last kick of the match.
Rosenior said: ‘We dominated the game against a Premier League team and we did it not by fighting and scrapping but by controlling possession.
‘I asked for sweat and blood in the shirt and every player gave me that.’
Hull academy graduate Daniel James scored in injury time to put the result beyond doubt
Since Boxing Day, Fulham have won three times on the road without conceding a goal, much to Silva’s delight.
He added: ‘The numbers are fantastic and speak for themselves – three clean sheets away from home.
‘It’s really important to try and maintain this momentum.’