Claudio Ranieri says Leicester City’s shock 2-1 defeat against troubled Hull City on Saturday should serve as a reality check for the English Premier League champions.
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As the curtain came down on the new campaign, the Foxes were caught cold by the managerless Tigers whose winger Robert Snodgrass hammered home the victor after 57 minutes.
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 flawless start to the season as Claudio Ranieri’s side slumped to just their fifth defeat in their last 48 Premier League outings.
A second-half strike from Robert Snodgrass proved the difference, the Scotland worldwide drove a shot in the back of the net after Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel carelessly gave away possession.
Kasper Schmeichel clawed out Davies’ near-post header from a Snodgrass corner, but Diomande’s overhead kick flew into the net. “Sometimes it is not possible and of course we make some mistakes and then we had to think where we made mistakes”.
Elsewhere, Erik Lamela equalised to earn Tottenham Hotspur – last season’s third-place team – a 1-1 draw at Everton after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had been forced off by injury.
A second-half strike from Robert Snodgrass proved the difference, the Scotland worldwide driving home from inside the area after Kasper Schmeichel had carelessly giving away possession.
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.
Palace deserved a point but, despite having two-thirds of possession, they picked up where they left off last season when they struggled to turn dominance into goals.
The home side’s best chance came eight minutes into the second half.
The latter effort came after a flowing move from Leicester, during which Christian Fuchs and Mahrez might easily have scored too.
Burnley midfielder Dean Marney headed narrowly over the crossbar early in the second half and Swansea midfielder Gyfli Sigurdsson, on as a substitute, tested Burnley keeper Tom Heaton with a powerful free kick. Fernandez went close again, this time scooping over the bar from close range.
Etienne Capoue gave Watford the lead on nine minutes after Troy Deeney headed down a cross into his path and he swept the ball home.
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On Sunday, Manchester United plays at Bournemouth and Arsenal hosts Liverpool.
