Expectations on Pep’s side could not be higher and City got off to the quickest start possible when Sergio Aguero converted a penalty won by the very impressive Raheem Sterling after just three minutes of action.
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Fernandinho (left) and Lamine Kone during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sunderland on Saturday.
Having pledged he would strip down to his trousers on Match of the Day if his beloved Leicester won the Premier League (a claim made long before the Foxes’ title party) the former England striker-turned-television presenter proved he was good as his word. “We made a big effort but it was individual effort, not like a team”, Ranieri told. “He, of course, wants to play but I can’t say that you play every match”, offered the Italian. England goalkeeper Joe Hart was dropped in favor of Willy Caballero and there were debuts for defender John Stones after his 47.5 million pound ($62 million) move from Everton and Spain forward Nolito.
Along with the missed opportunities in front of goal, Ranieri said a lack of teamwork meant his team was second-best on the day.
Leicester are the first defending English champions to start the campaign with a defeat since 1989, when Arsenal lost at Manchester United, and boss Claudio Ranieri admitted it was a sign of the tough campaign ahead.
Last term, the energy and dynamism of N’Golo Kante in the heart of the park was vital as Leicester sought to disrupt teams and win back the ball, and with the France worldwide departing for Chelsea, the Foxes were left short of endeavour and industry in the heart of the park.
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.
After a hard summer of players and the manager departing, Hull were the favorites for relegation at the start of this campaign, but the Tigers were Phelan good when the caretaker boss sent them soaring to the top of the league.
Just as the opening period closed amidst a flurry of activity, the second half began in similarly entertaining fashion, as Riyadh Mahrez equalised from the penalty spot.
“But all credit to the football players. And I think this is the key of the match”.
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.
Middlesbrough were denied victory in their first top-flight game since 2009 as a 67th-minute free-kick by Xherdan Shaqiri earned Stoke a 1-1 draw after Alvaro Negredo’s 11th-minute opener.
While it might be said that for most of the first half at Bournemouth the Manchester United side of Jose Mourinho resembled that of his predecessor Louis van Gaal, it is clear there is a fresh excitement about the Red Devils.
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On the same day, Arsenal takes on Liverpool while Chelsea will host Westham on a late Monday night kickoff.
