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.
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And it all got a bit too much for Vardy who was caught on camera striking himself in anger after wasting an opportunity.
Leicester’s stumble was followed by an equally gripping encounter at Eastlands, where new City manager Guardiola enjoyed some good fortune in his first Premier League match. The hosts grabbed the victor with three minutes left when new Black Cats signing Paddy McNair marked his debut by heading into his own net from Jesus Navas’ deflected cross.
Riyad Mahrez replied from the penalty spot at the start of the second half after Demarai Gray had been fouled.
But the day’s spotlight was inevitably going to be trained on Guardiola, given his trophy-laden spells at Bayern and Barcelona, and his new club’s hunger for league success.
On paper this looked like the flawless start for Claudio Ranieri’s champions with victory a formality against a Hull side with just enough players.
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. We made a huge effort – but we are not like a team. “We spoke during the week about what we had to do like a team and we did it”.
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.
Ross Barkley had given new manager Ronald Koeman an ideal start to life at Goodison Park with a fifth-minute free kick. The wide player made the most of his chance to hunt the foxes with a superb delivery for the opening goal and a brilliant strike to score their go-ahead second. Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg rescued his side in the closing stages when he thwarted livewire Lamela and substitute Vincent Janssen.
“A lot of the time it was fingers crossed to make sure that we had enough players to get out onto this field today”, Phelan said.
The games between Middlesbrough – Stoke City, Everton – Tottenham, Southampton – Watford all finished 1-1.
Leroy Fer scored a late victor as Swansea beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor and a header from West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon gave the visitors a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
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In the midst of a managerial resignation in July, no summer signings, a rash of injuries that have left the club with only 13 first team players and a fan base that are fed up with current ownership, no one could have blamed the Tigers for a poor showing.
