Leicester City have fought back from behind to record a 2-1 victory over last season's playoff runners-up Coventry City at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes have a new head coach in Enzo Maresca at the helm, the Italian handing out four debuts for their Championship opener, but it was a familiar face that salvaged an impressive three points.
Kyle McFadzean had initially given Coventry the lead shortly after half time, but two well-taken efforts from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall earned the home side the perfect start to the campaign.
While Leicester had the better of the first half, the opportunities that they created were either speculative efforts from distance or half-chances, former Coventry man Callum Doyle being denied at the back post after meeting a set piece.
As for the visitors, their best chance came from Kasey Palmer, who fired marginally over from distance, but the Sky Blues squandered numerous openings to hit their hosts on the break.
That continued after the restart, but only after Coventry had taken the lead from a corner, McFadzean getting across the front of a defender to power a header into the far corner.
Coventry began to look a threat each time that they ploughed forward, Ellis Simms being denied by a low smart save from Mads Hermansen before the Danish goalkeeper kept out Matt Godden at his near post.
WHAT A FINISH! Dewsbury-Hall grabs his second goal of the game 🔥🦊 pic.twitter.com/lUxNoPpU0r
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 6, 2023
Godden would later squander another chance, scuffing a tame effort across goal, and Coventry would be made to pay as Dewsbury-Hall gave a reminder as to why he is attracting interest from the Premier League.
The equaliser came from a cross delivered by Dennis Praet, Dewsbury-Hall timing his run to perfection to send a header into the corner, before his second was a superbly-taken effort inside the area, finding the far top corner of Ben Wilson's net.
In the minutes preceding that goal, new Coventry arrival Haji Wright saw a shot superbly clawed onto the underside of the crossbar by Hermansen before the rebound was sent agonisingly wide.
Although nine minutes of added-on time were signalled, Coventry were not able to force one final chance as Mark Robins's side succumbed to a defeat that, based on chances created, they did not particularly deserve.
Darren Plant
