Rude awakening on Day 1 for champions Leicester

LONDON: Leicester City lost only three games in their title winning campaign last season but their opening 2-1 defeat at Hull City on Saturday was a warning that

Published on: Aug 14, 2016, 12:08:42 IST

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LONDON: Leicester City lost only three games in their title winning campaign last season but their opening 2-1 defeat at Hull City on Saturday was a warning that life could be very different as champions rather than underdogs.

Their title triumph was built on a solid defence, an admirable team spirit, the industry of N’Golo Kante and the counter-attacking menace of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez while it also helped that they were underestimated by opponents.

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.

“This season will be harder than last,” manager Claudio Ranieri told Sky Sports. “Last season we showed ourselves as a very good team and we need to repeat that.

“We made a lot of effort today, but not as a team,” Ranieri added, “Today, we played individually.”

SPURS HOLD EVERTON ON KOEMAN’S DEBUT

A superb header by Argentine Erik Lamela earned Tottenham a 1-1 draw at Everton on Ronald Koeman’s Premier League debut.

England midfielder Ross Barkley provided Koeman with a perfect start after floating in a fifth-minute free kick.

Tottenham dominated after the break and got the equaliser on the hour mark when Lamela turned in Kyle Walker’s cross.

FER STRIKES LATE TO SEAL SWANSEA WIN

Leroy Fer’s late goal gave Swansea City a 1-0 win away to promoted Burnley.

Burnley midfielder Dean Marney headed narrowly over the crossbar early in the second half and Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, on as a substitute, tested Burnley keeper Tom Heaton with a powerful free kick.

Fer grabbed the winner eight minutes from time, bundling the ball in from close range after Heaton had saved Fernando Llorente’s header.

REDMOND STRIKE EARNS SAINTS A DRAW

Nathan Redmond scored on his Southampton debut to earn his side a 1-1 draw with Watford in their opening Premier League match on Saturday.

Etienne Capoue put Watford ahead after nine minutes, firing home from 12 metres.

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