Leicester City became the first English league champions for 27 years to begin their title defence with a loss as they went down 2-1 at Hull City on Saturday and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City reign started with a 2-1 win over Sunderland.
Advertisement
The newly-promoted hosts began the campaign as favourites for relegation, but goals from Adama Diomande and Robert Snodgrass either side of a Riyad Mahrez penalty gave them a ideal start to the season as Claudio Ranieri’s side slumped to just their fifth defeat in their last 48 Premier League outings. Riyad Mahrez equalised from the penalty spot, but Robert Snodgrass restored the lead and Hull proceeded to defend resolutely until the end.
But 10 minutes later Hull secured victory when Danny Simpson could only partially clear Ahmed Elmohamady’s cross and Snodgrass thrashed the loose ball home.
Snodgrass replied by scoring Hull’s victor with a fine left-foot shot on the bounce, following a partial clearance by a Leicester back line that lacked composure without suspended central defender Robert Huth.
Hull’s pre-season preparations have been some of the most chaotic in top-flight history with boss Steve Bruce walking out over a lack of signings, injuries to key men and supporter protests against the Allam family, whose ownership of the club has descended into bitter acrimony.
“I told my players this season will be harder than last season”, said Ranieri, whose side lost only three times last season.
“My job is to enjoy my weekend because there’s not many Saturday nights you can enjoy in the Premier League and this is one”.
Leicester were dominant in the first half but failed to test Eldin Jakupovic in the Tigers goals, leaving Adama Diomande to break the deadlock in first half stoppage time.
Guardiola’s City career got off to a ideal start when Sergio Aguero fired home a fourth-minute penalty after Patrick van Aanholt had brought down Raheem Sterling.
But the team is always stronger than the individuals.
Ross Barkley gave Everton its fifth-minute lead in Ronald Koeman’s first game in charge, but Erik Lamela headed a second-half equalizer for Spurs.
The visitors could have snatched a late victor when Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg denied new signing Vincent Janssen.
Striker Salomon Rondon nodded the only goal to give West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace in their opening Premier League match of the season. Hull were winning first balls and we weren’t picking up any second balls.
Promoted Middlesbrough were denied victory in their first top-flight game since 2009 as a 67th-minute free-kick by Xherdan Shaqiri earned Stoke City a 1-1 draw.
Advertisement
Etienne Capoue put Watford ahead after nine minutes, firing home from 12 metres following a neat knockdown by Troy Deeney.
