Just as Leicester, against the odds, were crowned kings of football in May, Hull City Saturday beat the champions 2-1.
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– Action Images via Reuters LONDON, Aug 14 – Leicester City’s Premier League title defence got off to a dismal start as crisis-club Hull clinched a 2-1 win over the champions, while the Pep Guardiola era at Manchester City started with a dramatic 2-1 victory against Sunderland on yesterday’s opening day.
Yet the defeat by Hull, as they became the first defending champions to lose their opening Premier League match, showed how things will be tougher this time around, particularly if Leicester’s key players can’t repeat last season’s heroics.
What the Chinese delegation thought of the pre-match demo Saturday is anybody’s guess, but they can not fail to have been impressed by the action on the pitch, watching Adama Diomande take the lead for Hull City just before the half time break.
Despite having just 13 fit senior players, fans protesting ahead of kick-off and Mike Phelan in caretaker charge, Hull took the lead as Adama Diomade and Abel Hernandez met a volley in unison, with the ball flying beyond Kasper Schmeichel.
However, Hull didn’t hold back and got into the lead through Rober Snodgrass who produced a smart finish.
“I think we must forget being champions or not champions”, he said.
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris limped off with a hamstring injury in the 35th minute.
Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion both secured 1-0 away victories against Burnley and Crystal Palace respectively.
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy missed a series of chances in the first half.
But Lamela equalised in the 59th minute with a header from Kyle Walker’s cross. Can Arsenal win the league one more time for Arsene Wenger?
Ultimately the Tigers primary goal for that is to avoid relegation, which will be extremely hard for them to accomplish, particularly if they are unable to strengthen their squad and continue to be without key senior players for any great length of time. Lee Chung-yong sent Wilfried Zaha on a run down the middle but keeper Ben Foster blocked the ball at the striker’s feet and then saved his second effort from the rebound.
Xherdan Shaqiri’s free kick helped Stoke City to a 1-1 draw at promoted Middlesbrough after Alvaro Negredo’s debut opener.
For the first time the defending champions fell on opening day and after a storied rise from worst in 2014-15 to champions past year Leicester City are certain to be hunted this season.
“Maybe we should attack quicker”.
Watford lost Ben Watson to a late red card for a last-man foul on Shane Long.
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Manchester United started their premier league campaign against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
