LONDON: Pep Guardiola made a winning start to his managerial career in English football when Manchester City defeated Sunderland 2-1, albeit only courtesy of a late own goal by Paddy McNair.

An equaliser from Jermain Defoe had threatened to deny Guardiola on his home debut but substitute McNair, signed from United this week, headed into his own net after 87 minutes.

Guardiola had made an immediate impact at City by dropping Joe Hart and Yaya Toure and his side quickly took the lead with a Sergio Aguero penalty.

But Sunderland, responding to their new manager David Moyes, weathered the early storm and almost claimed a highly creditable point after Defoe netted his 144th Premier League goal.

Leicester became the first reigning Premier League champions to lose their opening game as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Hull.

Promoted Tigers had suffered a chaotic summer in losing manager Steve Bruce and supporters protesting at the Allam family’s ownership of the club.

Injuries had left caretaker boss Mike Phelan with only 13 senior players in his squad, but Hull somehow overcame the odds to stun Claudio Ranieri’s champions.

England striker Jamie Vardy, so lethal last season, wasted two opportunities for the Foxes before Adama Diomande’s acrobatic effort on half-time gave Hull the lead.

Leicester levelled within seconds of the restart when Tom Huddlestone caught Demarai Gray marginally outside the area but referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty which Riyad Mahrez coolly converted.

Hull, however, bounced back and Robert Snodgrass reclaiming the lead, and ultimately all three points, after 57 minutes.

Ranieri refused to blame a busy pre-season for taking toll on his players’ resilience.

He said: “We made two mistakes and they scored twice. We lost two chances to score early and we made a lot of effort individually but they played better as a team.”

The Ronald Koeman era at Everton began with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham. Everton’s first goal under former Southampton boss came within five minutes through a Ross Barkley free-kick.

But Spurs – who lost goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to injury in the first half – secured a point at Goodison Park when Erik Lamela headed home Kyle Walker’s 59th-minute cross from close range.

Stoke also fought back to draw 1-1 at Premier League new boys Middlesbrough. Former Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo, making his debut on loan from Valencia, gave Boro an 11th-minute lead when he latched on to Gaston Raimirez’s header.

Ramirez struck a post before half-time and Boro were made to pay when Xherdan Shariqi’s splendid 67th-minute free-kick beat Victor Valdes.

Ten-man Watford held on to draw 1-1 at Southampton after substitute Ben Watson’s 75th-minute dismissal.

New Watford boss Walter Mazzarri was celebrating when Etienne Capoue’s first Hornets’ goal gave the visitors a ninth-minute lead. But Southampton levelled when debutant Nathan Redmond volleyed home after Heurelho Gomes failed to get distance on his punch from a corner.

Watson, who had been on the pitch for only 12 minutes, was shown a straight red card for bringing down Shane Long but late Saints pressure failed to find winner.

Leroy Fer’s first Swansea goal gave the Welsh club a 1-0 win at promoted Burnley. Fer made his loan switch from QPR permanent in the summer and he celebrated by pouncing on a rebound eight minutes from time.

Burnley were denied a late equaliser when Lukasz Fabianski saved brilliantly from Dean Marney.

West Brom boss Tony Pulis enjoyed a 1-0 win at former club Crystal Palace courtesy of a Salomon Rondon header to James McClean’s 74th-minute cross.

Opening weekend:

Early – Hull City 2, Leicester City 1. Mid-afternoon: Burnley 0, Swansea 1; Crystal Palace 0, West Bromwich Albion 1; Everton 1, Tottenham 1; Middlesbrough 1, Stoke City 1; Southampton 1, Watford 1. Evening: Manchester City 2, Sunderland 1. SUNDAY: Bournemouth v Manchester United, Arsenal v Liverpool. MONDAY: Chelsea v West Ham.

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