Mohamed Belloumi may have been the brunt of some studio jokes during the Premier League weekend, but the winger again proved why he could be the man to keep Hull City in the top flight this season.
The Algeria international was the subject of some light-hearted ridicule ahead of Sunday's visit of Everton, with Sky Sports presenter Mark Chapman revealing that the 24-year-old had been left out of the Tigers' starting XI because he was "tired".
Inevitably, studio guests Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge turned towards their fellow pundit Roy Keane -- knowing, if nervous, smiles on their faces-- to await the verdict of the former Manchester United captain, not known for his forgiving attitude.
Keane, resisting any of the many obvious punchlines of condemnation, could barely suppress a smile as the studio erupted in laughter.
A few hours later, it was Belloumi who had the last laugh.
Introduced in the 65th minute, he watched on moments later as Thierno Barry put Everton 2-1 up before, in the 74th minute, ensuring the points were shared.
Hull had taken the lead soon after halftime, when Joe Gelhardt capitalised on an error from Ainsley Maitland-Niles, before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall headed Everton level.
Barry's third league goal of the season -- his second in consecutive games -- gave the Toffees the advantage, before Belloumi extended his excellent start to the season.
Elliot Stroud, finding space down Hull's left, benefited from a lucky bounce and cut inside before picking out Belloumi with a cross. The Algerian, in an instant of inspiration, feigned to shoot before dummying Jarrad Branthwaite, touching the ball beyond the lurching defender, and then rifled a low left-footed finish beneath Jordan Pickford.
In a split second, Belloumi demonstrated the composure, technical quality and innovation that have made him such an indispensable figure under Sergej Jakirovic, and the key component in transforming this Hull side from relegation fodder to an apparent top-half side.
The Bosnian head coach confirmed after the match that the attacker had been left out of the starting XI as a precaution, following Belloumi's exploits for Algeria during the international break.
Only a few months into life as a Premier League player, and only a very new international, Belloumi is already taking these new career challenges in his stride.
He's become the most high-profile new Algeria international since the subdued FIFA World Cup elimination at the hands of Switzerland, and has the potential to become the face of this new Fennecs era under Brahim Hemdani.
His was a superb introduction to international football, with Belloumi -- the son of Algeria legend Lakhdar Belloumi -- making his debut in the 3-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victory over Zambia. He then scored in the qualifying draw with Burundi, before netting another in the 2-1 friendly triumph over Niger in Tizi-Ouzou.
Clearly comfortable at international level, Belloumi has looked surprisingly comfortable in the Premier League after being promoted from the Championship with Hull last season.
Six matches and 424 minutes into the new season, and he's already registered three goals and two assists, representing a direct goal contribution every 85 minutes. It's a remarkable level of productivity for a player taking his first steps in the Prem, particularly given the pessimistic forecasts that accompanied the Tigers' return to the top flight.
He scored twice in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea, where he demonstrated his ability to trouble one of the division's heavyweights, before following that up with valuable assists against Coventry City and Newcastle United.
Not afraid of getting stuck in and contributing defensively when Hull require it, Belloumi is Hull's leading scorer so far this season -- only five players in the whole division have scored more -- while also topping the club's assists charts as well.
No new player in the Prem has so far either scored more than Belloumi, nor registered more assists than the Hull attacker, and he's emerged as an early contender for the Premier League's revelation of the season so far.
Unlike expensive recruits arriving with substantial reputations, Belloumi has arrived from the second tier relatively unheralded, despite scoring and assisting in the playoff semifinal victory over Millwall, following two injury-hit campaigns.
In his early Prem appearances to date, Belloumi has demonstrated what he'll bring to this Hull side, beyond the goals and assists.
Predominantly left-footed, he thrives on the right flank, where he loves cutting inside to cause havoc, but is also comfortable taking on his opposite man down the outside. He's direct, enjoys stretching the play, and also possesses that characteristic North African flair and flamboyance, adding nuance to his game.
Don't be surprised if there are increasing parallels made with Riyad Mahrez, who similarly married nimbleness of foot with sharpness of mind to such devastating impact in the top flight.
Since promotion, Belloumi's wasted little time in demonstrating that he has the class to belong at this level, but now he must demonstrate consistency, and ensure that Hull's strong start can be sustained.