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Monday, 15 August 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Britain Hull City's Robert Snodgrass celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via - Reuters
Reuters: Leicester City became the first English league champions for 27 years to begin their title defence with a loss as they went down 2-1 at Hull City on Saturday and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City reign started with a 2-1 win over Sunderland.
Hull’s Robert Snodgrass got a 57th-minute winner as Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester lacked the intensity of their last campaign while City got away with their lethargic display as Sunderland debutant Paddy McNair scored an 87th-minute own goal.
Leicester’s shock defeat was the first time the title holders had lost their opening game since the Premier League was launched in 1992, while the last defending champions to lose their first fixture were Arsenal in 1989.
Hull’s victory was a major boost for the club, who have only 13 fit first-team players and are still looking for a permanent manager after Steve Bruce quit on July 22, with interim coach Mike Phelan overseeing Saturday’s victory.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Erik Lamela put away an excellent header just before the hour mark to rescue a 1-1 draw for at Everton.
A debut goal for Nathan Redmond helped Southampton come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at home to Watford while a late Leroy Fer strike gave Swansea City a 1-0 victory at promoted Burnley, who were fuming after a penalty claim was waved away.
Xherdan Shaqiri’s free kick helped Stoke City to a 1-1 draw at promoted Middlesbrough after Alvaro Negredo’s debut opener.
West Bromwich Albion won 1-0 at Crystal Palace thanks to a goal from Salomon Rondon.
