Premier League newcomers Hull City stunned defending champions Leicester city with a 2-1 victory at KCOM Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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Robert Snodgrass scored a cracking volley that was too hot to handle for the Leicester keeper and that goal proved to be the victor as Leicester just could not respond.
What the Chinese delegation thought of the pre-match demo Saturday is anybody’s guess, but they can not fail to have been impressed by the action on the pitch, watching Adama Diomande take the lead for Hull City just before the half time break.
Leicester equalised with a penalty nearly immediately after the re-start, Riyad Mahrez driving home the spot-kick.
Snodgrass curled an effort narrowly over moments later, but Leicester were soon back up the other end and Vardy once again failed to make the most of a good chance having been picked out unselfishly by Musa.
With no permanent manager and only 13 fit senior players, Hull have returned to the Premier League in a state of crisis on the pitch as well as off it. The move that fetched the goal too came from a corner-kick, taken by Robert Snodgrass, easily the best player on the park in this early fixture.
On an opening day which saw five managers take charge of their first competitive game at their new club, and there were contrasting starts for Pep Guardiola and David Moyes as pre-season title favourites Manchester City struck late to beat plucky Sunderland.
Foxes boss Ranieri believes Leicester’s loss proves how hard it will be to defend the title now that everyone is more aware of his team’s qualities.
Meanwhile, Erik Lamela equalised to earn Tottenham – last season’s third-place team – a 1-1 draw at Everton.
“We made a big effort but it was individual effort, not like a team”, said Ranieri.
France goalkeeper Lloris limped off with a hamstring injury in the 35th minute, with Michel Vorm replacing him. “And I think this is the key of the match”.
Sam Clucas, who has quite incredibly played in the Conference, League 2, League 1, the Championship and now the Premier League in consecutive seasons, also performed out of his skin in an unfamiliar central midfield position, while fellow Premier League debutant Adama Diomandé’s relentless work-rate was rewarded when he scored City’s spectacular opener.
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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Etienne Capoue put Watford ahead in the ninth minute, but Nathan Redmond levelled in the 58th minute before Hornets midfielder Ben Watson was sent off.
