Leicester's Premier League title defence got off to an embarrassing start as the champions crashed to 2-1 defeat at troubled Hull in the season opener on Saturday. Just three months after their astonishing title triumph, Claudio Ranieri's side were brought back down to earth by a team whose preparations for the new campaign were marred by the resignation of manager Steve Bruce and their failure to sign a single player.
Adama Diomande gave Hull a first-half lead before Riyad Mahrez brought Leicester level with a penalty shortly after the interval. Robert Snodgrass drove in the winner 12 minutes into the second half as a team in crisis on and off the pitch became the first to beat the defending English champions on opening day since Manchester United defeated Arsenal in 1989.
"It was great to see the team and staff all pull together and surprise so many people. The players have enjoyed themselves today," Hull caretaker manager Mike Phelan said. Hull have approached the season in a state of turmoil, with no permanent manager following Bruce's resignation on July 22, and a thin squad stretched to its limits by injuries. Phelan went into the game with just 13 fit senior players, and named a substitutes' bench consisting largely of untried youngsters, including three teenagers.