Ranieri out-foxed by patched-up Tigers
HULL CITY 2
Diomande (45), Snodgrass (57)
LEICESTER CITY 1
Mahrez (47pen) LEICESTER’S defence of their title began with an almighty bump.
Claudio Ranieri’s team became the first champions to lose on the opening day of the season since Arsenal in 1989, as they were stunned by crisis club Hull.
Without a manager, with an owner wanting to sell, fans in open revolt, and only 13 fit senior players, the newly- promoted side looked to be ideal opponents for a routine start.
But, as Leicester showed last season, you should expect the unexpected in the Premier League. The Foxes were wasteful in attack, most notably Jamie Vardy, and their defence was not as watertight as previously.
They only lost three times last campaign, and Ranieri pointed to a lack of cohesion as the reason for this defeat.
He said: “This was not a surprise. I was sure about Hull and I knew it would be a difficult match.
“We put in a big effort, individually, but not together. The players must understand the team is stronger than any individual. That is our strength.
“We are only at 70% and we need to get better. Against Manchester United in the Community Shield, we really played as a team, but not here.”
As Ranieri was facing the extra scrutiny that comes with being champions, Hull’s caretaker boss Mike Phelan could enjoy this triumph.
He stepped into the breach when manager Steve Bruce resigned and has overseen a pre- season where injuries have ravaged an already small squad. Midfielder Jake
Livermore was forced to play as an emergency centre-half, and the bench was filled with five youngsters. But the Championship play- off winners defied the odds, and Phelan paid tribute to Bruce and the work he has done.
He said: “I’m in contact with Steve. He has been a big influence on this football club.
“It’s very unusual for him to be sitting at home on the day the season is starting. But he has been great and given me encouragement.
“I’m relieved and thrilled, all the emotions come out because it’s been hard for everybody.
“But the players galvanised themselves to take on the Premier League champions, they stuck to their task and got rich reward.”
That Hull emerged victorious was a real triumph considering there was a protest outside before kick-off and the majority of Hull fans inside the stadium held up banners demanding owner Assem Allam leave the club.
A change of ownership could take place this week, with a Chinese consortium believed to be keen on taking control.
Away from the politics, the Tigers were let off by three spurned opportunities from Vardy that he surely would have gobbled up last season. The England striker missed his kick after being set up by debutant Ahmed Musa, was denied by a fantastic block by Livermore and then blazed over from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
And, in first- half stoppage- time, the champions fell behind from a corner.
Kasper Schmeichel saved Curtis Davies’ initial header, but Abel Hernandez converted the rebound with an acrobatic overhead kick, although replays showed that team- mate Adama Diomande had got the final touch.
The advantage lasted barely 15 seconds after the break as Tom Huddlestone trod on Demarai Gray’s foot and a penalty was given, even if contact appeared to be outside the area, and Riyad Mahrez fired home from the spot.
But Hull had not read the script and went in front again. Ahmed Elmohamady’s cross was only cleared to Robert Snodgrass, who took aim and fired into a bottom corner.
Suddenly the Foxes had to chase the game. But, apart from a Mahrez free- kick which was saved by Eldin Jakupovic, they struggled to create openings and were given a major reality check.