Leicester opened its title defense with a shocking 2-1 loss to newly promoted Hull on the first day of the Premier League season on Saturday. “We made a lot of effort, but not as a team,” Leicester Manager Claudio Ranieri said. PhotoIt was a frustrating afternoon for Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, whose 24 Premier League goals propelled the club to the title last season. EVERTON TIES TOTTENHAM Everton played visiting Tottenham to a 1-1 draw in Ronald Koeman’s first Premier League game as Everton’s manager. A LONG-AWAITED APPEARANCE Middlesbrough earned a point in its first Premier League game since 2009 with a 1-1 draw against visiting Stoke.

Source: New York Times August 13, 2016 18:56 UTC