Ten Season Openers To Remember For The Foxes
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01
Overcoming Villa at Filbert Street
Newly-crowned League Cup winners Leicester welcomed Aston Villa to Filbert Street on the opening day of the 1997/98 Premier League season. Although their doubters continued to predict City would struggle, Martin O'Neill's men got off to the perfect start as Ian Marshall secured a 1-0 win on 9 August, 1997. The Foxes would end the campaign in 10th place - one of four consecutive top-10 finishes.
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02
Off the mark on Filbert Way
On 10 August, 2002, King Power Stadium hosted its first competitive fixture. A 2-0 success over Watford, courtesy of Brian Deane's brace, saw the Foxes get off to a fine start in 2002/03. They eventually gained promotion to the Premier League after finishing second in the table.
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03
A tale of two halves against the Saints
Following City's promotion to England's top division, they welcomed Southampton to Filbert Way for what proved to be the first Premier League fixture at the year-old venue. Paul Dickov scored this penalty after just five minutes and Les Ferdinand headed home a second shortly after, but strikes from future Fox Kevin Phillips and James Beattie saw the match finish 2-2.
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04
Up and running in the third tier
City's match against MK Dons on 9 August, 2008 was Nigel Pearson's first game in charge of the Foxes, and the Club's maiden game in League 1. A double from Matty Fryatt earned a 2-0 triumph as the Foxes made an immediate return to the Championship.
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05
Early optimism back in the Championship
Nearly a year later, Leicester's 2009/10 Championship journey began with a comeback success over Swansea City. Ashley Williams had originally put the Welsh side ahead before Martyn Waghorn and Danny N'Guessan - pictured here - each scored in the space of four minutes to complete the win.
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06
Living up to promotion credentials in Coventry
A header from Lee Peltier on 6 August, 2011 proved to be enough for the Foxes to beat rivals Coventry City 1-0 at the Ricoh. Leicester eventually finished ninth in the division following the return of Nigel Pearson, who replaced Sven-Göran Eriksson.
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07
Just getting started in 2013/14
Putting the heartbreak of their play-off exit behind them, City began 2013/14 with a hard-earned 2-1 win at Middlesbrough. Danny Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy were on target to kick-start a record-breaking season that ultimately ended in them winning the Championship.
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08
Back in the big time
On 16 August, 2014, summer arrival Leonardo Ulloa's equaliser cancelled out Aiden McGeady's brilliant opener as City looked to start the 2014/15 Premier League season on the front foot. Steven Naismith then put the Toffees back in front, before Chris Wood grabbed a vital leveller during Leicester's first Premier League match for a decade.
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09
The fairytale begins
Leicester City 4 Sunderland 2 - the beginning of a legendary season for the Football Club. The first of 23 Premier League wins in 2015/16 came courtesy of goals from Riyad Mahrez (2), Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton, who is pictured here. Ten months later, City are crowned champions of England.
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10
A perfect start in 2020/21
It was a debut to remember at the Hawthorns for Leicester City's new signing Timothy Castagne. His opener was added to by a brace of penalties from Jamie Vardy against West Bromwich Albion in a 3-0 triumph for the Foxes on 13 September, 2020 - far later than usual due to the elongated previous campaign due to COVID-19.