Newly-promoted Hull stuns EPL champion Leicester 2-1

Leicester struck back through a Riyad Mahrez penalty kick just two minutes into the second half, but Hull’s Robert Snodgrass scored the victor just ten minutes later and the lowly Tigers hung on to take down Claudio Ranieri’s men.

1989 – Leicester are the 1st reigning top-flight champs to lose their opening league game of the next season since Arsenal in 1989/90.

Leicester City became the first Premier League champions to begin their title defence with a defeat when they slumped to a shock 2-1 reverse at injury-ravaged Hull City on Saturday.

Claudio Ranieri admitted Leicester got what they deserved after setting an unwanted record. We made some mistakes and we have to think where we made them.

“To produce the performance they did against the champions of England was a phenomenal effort”. At this level, you have to master the ball, you have to take the ball and play with confidence, character and courage. “And I thought everything came out today”.

Along with the missed opportunities in front of goal, Ranieri said a lack of teamwork meant his team was second-best on the day. Our effort was unbelievable but it was individual, not as a team.

“We tried to win but sometimes it’s impossible”. The effort was incredible, but individual effort – not as a team.

Hull rode the pressure, though, and took the lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

It would have been easy for Hull to fold but they showed impressive mental fortitude to restore their lead in the 57th minute.

Vardy, who scored 24 league goals last season, mis-kicked horribly after new signing Ahmed Musa had darted down the left to roll the ball back to him 16 yards from goal.

Leicester had a prolonged period in Leicester’s half with Mahrez again coming close with a swinging free-kick in the 71st minute, but were unable to convert – with Hull hanging out for a famous victory. Left-back Fuchs shot was blocked as was Vardy’s stab before Mahrez shot wide.

Schmeichel did well to deny Davies but the ball bounced up for both Diomande and Abel Hernandez to turn goalwards with acrobatic efforts.

Fourteen seconds into the second half Hull were somewhat unlucky to concede a penalty as the referee incorrectly adjudged Tom Huddlestone’s challenge on Demarai Gray to have happened inside the penalty area. Mahrez blasted his spot-kick straight down the middle as Jakupovic dived.

Leicester looked bemused, their free-flowing, speedy football going AWOL and Vardy looking like he was suffering from a honeymoon hangover.