But Claudio Ranieri’s men were disorganised in all areas of the pitch and looked far from the form which saw them storm to the title ten points clear last term.
Advertisement
On 25 minutes Leicester again came close, with Mahrez’s fancy footwork causing Hull problems on the right wing but Danny Drinkwater’s shot drifted narrowly off target.
Robert Snodgrass thumped home a left-footed victor in the 57th minute after Leicester, who lost only three games last season, failed to clear their lines.
Leicester’s defeat means that they are the first champions in Premier League history to lose the opening match of their title defence.
Adama Diomande put Hull ahead in first-half stoppage time, Riyad Mahrez leveled from the penalty spot just after the restart and Robert Snodgrass scored the victor in the 57th minute.
Hull is still without a manager after Steve Bruce left in July, and a club that only secured promotion through the Championship playoffs has been badly hit by both injuries and protests by fans against its owners. “And I think this is the key of the match”.
Phelan went into the game with just 13 fit senior players, and named a substitutes’ bench consisting largely of untried youngsters, including three teenagers.
Leicester equalised with a penalty nearly immediately after the re-start, Riyad Mahrez driving home the spot-kick.
England striker Jamie Vardy reprimanded himself for blazing a first half chance over – by playfully punching himself in the face.
“I told my players this season will be harder than last season”, said Ranieri, whose side lost only three times last season.
Vardy, who scored 24 league goals last season, miskicked horribly after new signing Ahmed Musa had darted down the left to roll the ball back to him 16 yards from goal.
Mahrez equalised from the penalty spot in the 47th minute after Tom Huddlestone clipped Demarai Gray from behind, although replays showed the foul occurred outside the box.
Advertisement
Hull would not be kept down though, and Robert Snodgrass restored the Tigers’ lead with a wonderful strike into the bottom corner.
