Upset for Leicester, Tottenham draws as EPL season starts

Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier, left, and Christian Eriksen, right, battle for the ball with Everton's Ross Barkley, centre, during their English Premier League soccer match at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

Everton's James McCathy, left, and Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen, right, in action during their English Premier League soccer match at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

LONDON – Leicester began the defense of its English Premier League title with a shock 2-1 defeat at Hull, while Tottenham had to come from behind to draw 1-1 at Everton as the new season got underway on Saturday.

Having defied odds of 5,000-1 to win the league last season, the tables were turned as Leicester lost to a newly-promoted club that was struggling with pre-season injuries and protests by fans against the owners.

Adama Diomande put Hull ahead in first-half stoppage time, Riyad Mahrez leveled from the penalty spot for Leicester just after the restart and Robert Snodgrass scored the winner in the 57th minute.

Ross Barkley gave Everton a fifth-minute lead in Ronald Koeman's first game in charge, but Erik Lamela headed a second-half equalizer for Spurs.