Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/714702
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 AUGUST 2016 47 Sport SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL McNair own goal gets Guardiola off hook as City's season starts with win A late Paddy McNair own goal handed Manchester City a 2-1 win over Sunderland in Pep Guardiola's first match in charge. An equaliser from Jermain Defoe had looked like denying Guardiola in the Premier League opener at the Etihad Stadium but substitute McNair, signed from Manchester United this week, headed into his own net after 87 minutes. Guardiola had made an imme- diate impact at City by dropping Joe Hart and Yaya Toure and on the field his side quickly took the lead with a Sergio Aguero pen- alty. But Sunderland, responding to their new manager David Moyes, weathered the early storm and almost claimed a highly credit- able point after Defoe netted his 144th Premier League goal. Yet by the finish, the talk had refocused on Guardiola, who punched the air with satisfaction at the final whistle. Leicester became the first reign- ing Premier League champions to lose their opening game as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Hull. The newly-promoted Tigers had suffered a chaotic summer in los- ing manager Steve Bruce and sup- porters protesting at the Allam family's ownership of the club. Injuries had left caretaker boss Mike Phelan with only 13 sen- ior players in his squad, but Hull somehow overcame the odds to stun Claudio Ranieri's champi- ons. England striker Jamie Vardy, so lethal last season, wasted two in- viting opportunities for the Foxes before Adama Diomande's acro- batic effort on the stroke of half- time gave Hull the lead. Leicester levelled within sec- onds 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' clinical finish after 57 minutes secured victory. The Ronald Koeman era at Ever- ton began with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham. Everton's first goal under former Southampton boss came within five minutes when Ross Barkley's speculative free-kick evaded eve- ryone in the penalty area to find its way into the visitors' net. 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 for- ward 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 follow- ing 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 Mar- ney. West Brom boss Tony Pulis enjoyed a 1-0 win at former club Crystal Palace. It was a game of few chances, but Salomon Rondon's glanc- ing header from James Mc- Clean's 74th-minute cross settled matters. Manchester City celebrate after Paddy McNair's own goal Robert Snodgrass celebrates Hull's winner against Leicester Erik Lamela scored Tottenham's equaliser at Everton