Claudio Ranieri warns Leicester fans about season of struggle

Sunderland boss Advocaat meantime spoke about his lineup.

A huge coup for the club, the winger signed on an undisclosed fee (believed to be around £8 million), and averaging a goal every three games over the last five years, Leicester 3-5-2 formation they have used most often during pre-season could be at threat. They may need not worry.

After some “interesting” videos released involving a racist sex tape, Leicester announced that it would be getting rid of Nigel Pearson as well as his son and two other youth players, all three of which were involved in said tape.

He knows the players, the squad – and its strengths and weaknesses – the structure of the club, and his name and reputation has helped bring in new faces. Leicester fans can be assured his wasp-like qualities are going nowhere.

The Foxes have scored exactly two goals in six of their last seven matches on the opening day, including in the PL last term vs Everton.

In the battle of the managerial heavyweights, it was advantage to Ranieri. The Foxes have a serious fight on their hands to escape relegation this season.

Vardy cracked the lock to Sunderland’s shaky offside trap before driving in a low ball to new man Shinji Okazaki. If he can win them over, they should have enough about them to avoid the drop, but they will need their new signings to make an impact.

The visitors looked more alert at the start of the second half but as was the case for the majority of last season, their forward play lacked nous, seen when Fletcher and Defoe made a hash of linking up inside the area. With the Black Cats’ defence in tatters, largely down to Vardy’s never-say-die attitude, all it took was a whipped cross from Albrighton to open the barrier as the former Le Havre man nodded home.

Manager Dick Advocaat was appointed in March and ensured Sunderland’s survival in the Premier League.

An incredible start and it could and should have been 4-0 to Leicester inside half an hour but Vardy saw his shot saved by the outrushing Costel Pantilimon.

City started the season with a 3-2 loss against Liverpool and failed to win any of their league fixtures in August. For Sunderland, slugglish and shell-shocked, the interval came as blessed relief. Another expert delivery from Albrighton caused the danger with Mahrez this time flicking the ball past Pantilimon.

There was little Leicester let-up and Mahrez continued to torture Sunderland after the break as he turned them inside out before hitting the post 10 minutes after the restart. It was added to further when Defoe cut inside Ritchie De Laet to bullet an effort past Schmeichel in the 60 minute. Advocaat hopes Steven Fletcher will return to partner Jermain Defoe up front after missing the final friendly against Hannover 96 last week, but Wes Brown is a major doubt.