Leicester’s title defence has gotten off to a terrible start, with the surprise EPL champs going down to relegation-favourites Hull 2-1 at Hull’s KCOM Stadium.
Hull shrugged off an injury crisis to shock the champions, despite being favoured by pundits and bookies to go down at season’s end.
Robert Snodgrass thumped home a left-footed winner in the 57th minute after Leicester, who lost only three games last season, failed to clear their lines.
Riyad Mahrez’s second-half penalty for Leicester had earlier cancelled out Adama Diomande’s acrobatic overhead kick.
Diomande gave Hull the lead against the run of play in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, leaping in tandem with Abel Hernandez to meet Kasper Schmeichel’s punched clearance from a Curtis Davies header.
Mahrez responded from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half after Tom Huddlestone had clipped Demarai Gray on the edge of the area, before Snodgrass slammed home the winner, providing some respite for Hull, who had only 13 fit first-team players available.
Leicester’s 2015-16 season hero Jamie Vardy seemed subdued, unable to capture the form from last year that saw him win England selection and the Premier League title.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Looks like ET won't be landing in Piccadilly Circus just yet.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Aleague debuted on SBS with over 200k and then it dropped rapidly over the next couple of seasons EPL will fluctuate from week to week. I can see the Manchester Derby getting over 200k in a couple of weeks.
Waz
Guest
Don't forget to allow for SBS1 v SBS2. A league viewing dropped off quite a bit with the "relegation"
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
I watched SBS last night and was good. Yet to sample Optus, and will be streaming off my laptop browser tonight - very excited/worried.
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
Think that's a good result with the Olympics on, got more than some AFL games. Watched the SBS offering and was very good (as I expected). Yet to try out Optus' coverage but will give it a shot during two big games - expecting a lot of viewers and some possible interruptions.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
OK 108k https://twitter.com/MediaweekAUS HAL average last year on FTA SBS was 54,250 - close to half this EPL game. Will be interesting to see how this goes. http://www.footyindustry.com/?page_id=1697
Waz
Guest
LoL. It does.
AZ_RBB
Guest
108k for Hull v Leicester.
TK
Guest
Nice first goal from Hull - thanks Optus for the pleasure of being able to watch EPL on my telly. Hull represented by a high order feline predator, strip orange and black, fans protesting about ownership issues but the team is still able to pull a win - all sounds strangely familiar....
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Will be very interesting to see ratings for EPL on SBS versus its ratings for HAL.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Anyone watching much football tonight? Curious to know how everyone is faring on the first night of this new era of European football broadcasting in Aus. Once it has all fully kicked into gear in September we'll have a better idea of course. I've just set up my Fetch TV and it's running quite well. But it seems to be making other devices in my house run slowly.