Jose Mourinho’s name rang out loud from all corners of Stamford Bridge the last time Hull City came to town on August 18, 2013.
It was the opening game of the Premier League season, a day normally filled with excitement, but for Blues fans this one was extra special.
A special day for the Special One as Mourinho took his seat in the dugout at SW6 for the first time after rejoining the club from Real Madrid.
Frank Lampard, who scored a wonderful free-kick on that sweltering summer afternoon to add to Oscar’s goal in a 2-0 triumph, said it was like the Portuguese was coming home.
A banner draped over the top tier of the Shed End said simply, “One of Us”.
Mourinho felt the love that day and still feels it, Chelsea is the club for him, and he never made any secret of that. Never has, never will, even when he was in charge at other clubs.
"It's my dugout, my stadium, my people", he said of his return.
The reception he received was nothing less than the man who delivered the Blues’ first league title in 50 years would have expected.
Throughout the game he was serenaded by the supporters, grateful to be rid of Rafa Benitez, the Spaniard they so despised who left following his spell as interim boss.
Mourinho was back and they were going to enjoy every moment.
"The reception I received was fantastic, amazing, and they gave me more than I deserve,” he said. “I'm a bit shy in the face of the fans' reaction.
“I don't feel very comfortable with that. But now the fans have to support the team, sing about the players and the club, not José.
“Jose knows how much they like me and how happy they are to have me back.
"It's great, especially for the players, to feel the atmosphere around the place.
"It's the fifth season I've started with Chelsea but the first time Mr Abramovich has come to the dressing room to be with us before the match.
"Everyone knows what Chelsea did in the last 10 years, so it's better to focus on that than on some negative moments we had in the recent history.
"We are together and know where we want to go."
Given the dream start against Hull, expectations rose that Mourinho could deliver instant success in a repeat of his first spell as manager.
Chelsea ultimately fell short that season, losing the title to Manchester City, but he looks to have found the right formula this year and the club is sitting pretty ahead of this weekend’s visit of the Tigers.
Follow all the build-up, matchday action and post-game reaction from Chelsea v Hull City on GetWestLondon.
