BPL 2016/17- Can Leicester defend this title?

[Calllaris]

Leicester's defence of their Premier League title began with a shock defeat at newly promoted Hull, who are without a manager! and relegation favourites.

Under caretaker boss Mike Phelan, Hull took the lead when Adama Diomande and Abel Hernandez combined acrobatically to score, with Diomande awarded Hull's opening goal, the first of the 2016/17 Premier League season.

Leicester's Riyad Mahrez replied from the penalty spot at the start of the second half after Demarai Gray had been fouled.

But Robert Snodgrass earned the Tigers victory after a cross was not cleared..Danny Simpson's clearance from Ahmed Elmohamady's ball into the area only found Snodgrass on the edge of the box, and he drilled home. Giving Hull a 2-1 victory over the Foxes!

It is the first time the reigning English champions have started the season with a defeat since 1989, when Arsenal lost at Manchester United.

Foxes, foxes;

Claudio Ranieri's Leicester side lost only three league games in 2015-16. The Foxes' title success was built on a solid defence and impressive finishing, but they managed neither at the KCOM Stadium yesterday.

BBC Radio 5 live analyst Chris Waddle felt the balance of Claudio Ranieri's side was wrong, with Gray, Musa (Aboki) and Vardy often all in the same area of the pitch.

"Mahrez was great on the left but Gray kept cutting in from the left and the two strikers Musa and Vardy were almost holding hands with him.

"N'Golo Kante has been sold so Andy King was playing in front of their defence, but he did not look like he has the energy to play there.

"King likes to get forward - dropping off and getting the ball like Kante did is not his strength."

Vardy and colleagues;

The defending champions struggled up front, with Jamie Vardy missing their best chances - and they got the help of referee Mike Dean for their equaliser - my opinion.

Vardy, who scored 24 Premier League goals last season, miscued badly from two Musa pull-backs and had another follow-up effort blocked by Jake Livermore after Christian Fuchs' shot was saved.

At Leicester's defence squad;

With Robert Huth suspended, summer signing Luis Hernandez came into the Leicester back four, which looked vulnerable whenever Hull attacked down the flanks.

Generally;

Leicester created little against a makeshift Hull defence that featured midfielder Livermore at centre-half alongside Curtis Davies.

Even Leicester's boss;

Claudio Ranieri admited "Hull were smarter than Leicester" !!! - too modesty? Very.

Hull City, a surprise this Season?;

With no manager to replace Steve Bruce, no new signings since they were promoted via the play-offs and talk of a takeover, it was a far from ideal way for Hull to mark their return to the Premier League.

Phelan's wafer-thin squad was expected to be cannon fodder for the champions, but he had clearly prepared them well because they started solidly and soon began causing Leicester problems.

Their spectacular and slightly bizarre opening goal came from a well-worked corner routine that saw Davies nod on at the near post.

Remember;

The Foxes only lost three out of 38 league games last season - to Arsenal twice and Liverpool - but while Hull's success was unexpected, it was also fully deserved for their organisation and endeavor.

Next;

Leicester face Arsenal in their first home game of the new season next Saturday, the same day Hull travel to Swansea.

So; Have a BLUE football season. - oh ohw

BPL 2016/17, 13-8-2016 till 14-5-2017.

[Calllaris]

What happened in there today?

Blues!

[kimi]

Us :D

[kimi]

Lol. Word for the day:

"Evil thrives when good people do nothing” by Edmund Burke.

[Calllaris]

At St Mary's stadium today, home to Southampton

Scoreline, Chelsea win 2-0

5pm

 

Blues at the top of the league.

Doubt it.

[Calllaris]

It was Chelsea vs Algeria yesterday

 

Up #Moses

Up #Obi

 

Blues!

[Calllaris]

Blues!

Chelsea vs tottenham@ Stamford bridge

We love this ***-4-*** formation Conte is dishing. Ever since Coach switched to his preferred formation, he won every game.

At 12 matches played and 6 straight wins, Chelsea is at the top of the EPL table. Chelsea beat up Midddlesbrough 1- 0 last weekend to leapfrog liverpool at the top. Watch Chelsea today as they continue the class with number 5 on the table - Tottenham warmspur (don't worry, they have no fans).

Forecast; Chelsea will remain on top

[Calllaris]

What a nightmare for Manchester City and at their home!

*** goals and 2 red cards! (Aguero and Fernadinho)

Mind you, both red cards came two minutes after each other and after 90 mins already. Yes, after Chelsea had already won the game ***-1. What a loss at City's today. Classy loss.

A little recap

It was GOAL! @ 44 mins: Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea (Cahill own goal):

As we all predicted, a comedy own goal has broken the deadlock. Haha

59mins saw Chelsea equalize:

GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea (Diego Costa):

A blast from the past, as Fàbregas finds Diego Costa with a long diagonal pass.

11 mins later...@ 70mins:

GOAL! Manchester City 1-2 Chelsea (Willian):

... Man city's Gundogan walks through the Chelsea defence, but can’t pick out a pass. Chelsea break at speed, Hazard finding Costa, who slides it to Willian in space on the right, and he fires low across Bravo.

Chelsea lead!

At 75 mins, its15 mins to go, Man city is punch drunk:

Guardiola orders in Yaya Toure then Iheanacho, but it's not working.

The next 15 mins is what you call a Mancity nightmare: City win a corner, but Otamendi heads a presentable chance over the bar, Silva's attempts at curing a corner is cleared away by David Luiz.

Touré’s corner finds Iheanacho running to the near post, but he flicks the ball into the side netting. Oh no!

Touré ambles forward and slots the ball to Silva, but his attempted cross is easily clear.

Navas is booked for tugging Hazard’s shirt

On the touchlinne, Guardiola urges players and fans to up the workrate, Pep Guardiola at a point got increasingly irate at referee

Anthony Taylor's refusal to take action against Luiz when he 'appeared' to impede Aguero - sorry Man city

90 mins:

GOAL! Manchester City 1-*** Chelsea (Hazard):

Game over, thanks to another devastating goal on the break (classic Chelsea style!). A City move breaks down, and Alonso lofts the ball to Hazard, who sprints past Kolarov, and smashes it low into the net!

Then... that's when City thought it wisest to fight! Yes, start a fight they did.

6 mins extra time is added, and coach Conte is in a happy mood at his teams performance. Pep is angry at extra 6 mins

... Agüero utterly loses his head at this end, flying into David Luiz with both feet off the ground. Chalobah shoves Agüero, and an almighty scuffle ensues. Aguero is sent off

2 mins later...(like 2 seconds later):

Another red card... Fernandinho sent off!

 

...the scuffle spills over onto the sidelines, and Fernandinho puts hands on Fàbregas, sending him over the advertising boards. He joins Agüero in getting a red bath, and a bad day has become ugly for the hosts.

Chelsea have made it eight wins in a row, and are four points clear at the top. They have made a huge statement in the title race with this classy performance!

Chelsea remains at the top!

 

Blues!

[Calllaris]

Bournemouth draws Liverpool ***-***, to stay Liverpool at 3rd place, Chelsea maintains lead with a clean 3pts