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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Able to play on the break against unsuspecting sides last season, Leicester can no longer surprise teams with the unconventional tactics that saw them win the title last season.
Adama Diomande put Hull City in front but the Foxes equalised seconds after the restart through Riyad Mahrez before Robert Snodgrass restored Hull’s lead. For many Hull fans it was their first real chance to show their anger about the departure of manager Steve Bruce and the controversial membership scheme which has seen concessions scrapped for children and OAPS.
Asked what the future now held for him and the team, Phelan added: “The situation has not changed – I was asked to take pre-season and I’ve done that, I was asked if I would take the game today and I have done that now. But of course, for the new people, new manager, new players, to start winning helps to believe in what we are doing”.
Leroy Fer scored Swansea’s late victor against Burnley and a header from West Brom’s Salomon Rondon gave the visitors their victory at Crystal Palace.
“They played better”, Leicester coach Claudio Ranieri told Sky Sports.
Having won the Premiership as 5000-1 outsiders, Leicester City began the new season by doing something no reigning champions have.
Ross Barkley had earlier given new manager Ronald Koeman an ideal start to life at Goodison Park with a fifth-minute free kick. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but they stuck to the task really well and got what they deserved out of a good performance and a great result”.
Mahrez missed two decent chances in the first half and seemed to struggle with being a more marked man this season – something he’ll have to get used to quickly.
“We tried to win but sometimes it’s impossible”.
“Our effort was incredible, but it was as individuals, not as a team”.
Lloris limped off with a hamstring injury in the 36th minute and his replacement Michel Vorm kept the visitors afloat with a fine save on the stroke of halftime, denying Gerard Deulofeu who was sent clear by an terrible back pass from Danny Rose.
The games between Middlesbrough – Stoke City, Everton – Tottenham, Southampton – Watford all finished 1-1. In the second half, we played as we usually play. Today was a normal match, maybe a draw was normal but we lost it.
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Tomorrow, there will be three matches: Bournemouth – Manchester United, Chelsea – West Ham and Arsenal – Liverpool.
