Typically, the new season began with a shock as defending champions Leicester City were beaten 2-1 at newly promoted Hull City.
Leicester had the better of the early stages with England international Danny Drinkwater going close with a couple of efforts from the edge of the box.
At times it took heroic defending from Hull’s makeshift defence to keep the score level as bodies were on the line to keep Eldin Jakupovic’s goal intact. Goal scoring hero for the Foxes last season Jamie Vardy was guilty of missing two big chances on the stroke of half-time.
It was, in fact, Hull who went into the break in front, as a corner found its way to Abel Hernandez, who appeared to produce a stunning overhead kick to give the hosts a slim lead. Replays showed though that his striker partner Adama Diomande had got the final touch and he was credited with the goal.
Straight after the restart a sloppy challenge from Tom Huddlestone on Demarai Gray gave Riyad Mahrez a chance to immediately equalise from the penalty spot, despite the initial contact occurring outside the box. The PFA player of the year made no mistake to make things all square.
In a classic seesawing Premier League game, Hull retook the lead shortly after as more sloppy defending from the champions saw Robert Snodgrass free inside the box to fire home.
The Tigers held on to secure a famous win and the result means that Leicester are the first Premier League champions to lose their first game of the following campaign.
FT: Hull City 2-1 Leicester City
A shocking loss for the champions. pic.twitter.com/2FmIVk7k7f
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) 13 August 2016
Leicester look shaky as Champions
Despite the away side controlling much of the possession, whenever Hull attacked Leicester did not defend with the ease that saw them stroll to the title last season. Four of the starting back five played the majority of the 2015/16 season together but, crucially, Luis Hernandez was stepping in for the suspended Robert Huth.
The absent German centre back was a pivotal for the Foxes last season, as they claimed their maiden top flight title. But after an incident at the end of last season involving Marouane Fellaini at Old Trafford, he was suspended for this game. Even with captain Wes Morgan in the side, Leicester lacked a commanding figure at the back.
It may be early days but the signs are not great for the Foxes to repeat their incredible defending feats of last season.
The second #HULL goal by @robsnodgrass7.#HULL: 2 – #LEI: 1 #PL #PLkickoff #HulLei pic.twitter.com/GFG16n2Hsj
— Fatih Yüce (@wadanotad) 13 August 2016
Hardworking Tigers show promise for long campaign
The big kick-off is much anticipated by fans across the country and indeed by the fans of the Premier League across the world. While winning is always nice, most fans are looking for positive performances to give them hope for the reminder of the season.
Despite everything that is going on off the pitch at the Hull, the players put in a performance that everyone associated with the club should be proud of. Many of the players were shoehorned into the starting XI – Jake Livermore at centre-back, for example, and Sam Clucas as a holding midfielder – with City having just 13 senior men fit and available.
It did not seem to phase Hull as they matched the defending champions in every aspect of the match. Caretaker boss Mike Phelan has worked wonders with this make-shift team; the appeared here to be a well organised outfit. There is still a long way to go but Hull may be more competitive on their return to the Premier League than many had predicted.
Hull City win the first game of the 2016/17 Premier League season. #HulLei pic.twitter.com/A82tvvy72j
— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) 13 August 2016
Hull still very much a club divided
A summer of turmoil both on and off the pitch all led to this game against Leicester City at the KCOM on the opening day. For many Hull fans it was their first real chance to show their anger about the departure of manager Steve Bruce and the controversial membership scheme which has seen concessions scrapped for children and OAPS.
Before the match, groups of fans held a protest outside the ground and as the players came out most of the home fans held up homemade red cards to the owners. It has to be said that once the game got underway, the Tiger faithful got behind their players and created a vibrant atmosphere.
And yet to see the ground clearly short of capacity for the club’s return to the Premier League against the defending champions is a clear sign of the discontent amongst supporters. If Hull are to make a success of their latest stint in the top flight then the club has to reunite.
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