We were first to every ball on Saturday and I felt there was only one team that wanted to win the game’. “Everything was ideal but football isn’t flawless”, said Ranieri. Last year, we reacted well to defeats and we’ll do the same this week. “It’s important we get some answers”.
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As for Snodgrass, who grabbed the victor on the day, he said the performance and the result showed the players were working hard and would dig deep for survival this season.
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 match was decided on this because after we got nervous, we want to draw and of course Hull played very, very compact, playing counter-attack”. We scored a goal, created good chances and we were unlucky – those are positive things. “That’s something we have to get used to”, said Simpson.
Abel Hernandez and Diomande both had the same idea, producing synchronised bicycle kicks which each connected to produce a breathtakingly unlikely goal.
Leicester became masters of upsetting the odds en route to the title last term but became the first defending champions to lose their opening game as this time it was Hull who sprang the surprise. The Leicester defence – badly missing the presence of Robert Huth – failed to clear a Hull cross with Robert Snodgrass taking advantage and giving his side the lead. They played better. We tried to do our best, the effort was incredible but [it was] individual effort, not as a team.
“We came here to try to win as we are used to do”.
Leicester headed to the north coastal city of Hull for their opening match against a team that now has no manager, barely enough players to make up a team, and an army of angry and frustrated fans. “You can either take it on or sulk”.
The message from caretaker manager Mike Phelan would have been for his Hull side to keep a tight defence in the opening stages of the second half.
Mike Phelan has warned Hull will not be able to sustain their strong start to the season without making new signings. Captain Curtis Davies agrees.
“When we conceded the goal like we did after half-time you think the floodgates may open, but they carried on and showed great determination and character”. You need competition for places.
With Assem Allam, the chairman, seriously ill, his son, Ehab, is handling day-to-day affairs and is involved in a desperate attempt to offload the club to Chinese investors.
HULL (4-1-4-1): Jakupovic 7; Elmohamady 8, Davies 9, Livermore 8, Robertson 7; Clucas 7; Meyler 7, Huddlestone 6, Snodgrass 8, Diomande 7; Hernandez 7. NEXT UP: Swansea (a), Sat PL.
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Having won their first friendly at Oxford United and then beaten Celtic on penalties in the International Champions Cup, Leicester were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in their final two pre-season games.
