LEICESTER City manager Claudio Ranieri has warned his players to expect a tough season after the English Premier League champion lost its opening game of the new campaign to newly promoted Hull City bat KCOM Stadium.
Hull, without a manager after Steve Bruce left last month, won 2-1 thanks to goals from Adama Diomande and Robert Snodgrass as Leicester became the first reigning title-holder to be beaten on the opening day of an EPL title defence.
Riyad Mahrez scored a controversial penalty to level matters before Snodgrass' winner.
Leicester faces Arsenal next week and Ranieri knows teams will be out to shoot his team down.
"They played better. We tried to do our best. Our effort was amazing but it was individual, not as a team,” he said.
"We tried to win but sometimes it's impossible.
"We made some mistakes and we have to think where we made them.
"I told my players this season will be harder than last season.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrated an opening day 2-1 success over Sunderland.
Sergio Aguero gave City a fourth-minute lead before Jermain Defoe equalised.
Former Manchester United defender Paddy McNair's own goal in the 87th minute sealed the victory for City.
In other games, Swansea City defeated promoted Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor thanks to a goal from Leroy Fer, while West Brom won 1-0 at Crystal Palace courtesy of a header from Salomon Rondon.
Everton and Spurs drew 1-1 at Goodison Park in Ronald Koeman's first game in charge of the Toffees.
Newly promoted Middlesbrough had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke, while Watford drew 1-1 at Southampton.
Overnight Arsenal played Liverpool and Bournemouth entertained Jose Mourinho's Manchester United.
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