Fulham beat Leicester City 2 – 1 to climb out of relegation zone. Vardy scores but still Leicester loses to Fulham. The visitors scored twice in eight first-half minutes, their first arriving when Ademola Lookman slotted past Kasper Schmeichel following Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s driving run from inside his own half.
Fulham climbed out of the Premier League relegation places with an impressive victory over Leicester that denied Brendan Rodgers’ side a share of the top spot.
Ivan Cavaleiro then made amends for his missed penalty against Everton eight days ago with a confident spot-kick, awarded after referee Simon Hooper reviewed Christian Fuchs’ tackle on Bobby Decordova-Reid on the pitch-side monitor.
Leicester had earlier struck the woodwork twice in quick succession as Wesley Fofana’s follow-up to Youri Tielemans’ volley cannoned off the crossbar. But the Foxes, as they did in their 3-0 defeat by Liverpool, endured another frustrating night in attack until substitute Harvey Barnes’ late reply ensured a nervy finale for Scott Parker’s men.
Fulham’s second win of the season takes them up two places to 17th, while Leicester remain fourth and three points behind leaders Tottenham.
RB Leipzig loanee Lookman celebrated his goal by holding up a Senegal shirt which had been hung in the visitors’ dressing room, in tribute to former midfielder Papa Bouba Diop who died aged 42 on Sunday.
Fulham show they are up for the fight
A trip to the King Power Stadium marked the start of a difficult run of fixtures for Parker’s side, with a trip to Manchester City and the visit of Liverpool to come and meetings with five of the ‘big six’ in their next nine.
Following successive defeats, this was set to be a tough game for a team with the league’s joint-worst defensive record and only one win in 25 Premier League away matches.
But Parker called for greater intensity after his side let in three goals in their defeat by Everton – the fourth time they had conceded three or more in nine league games – and how his call was answered here.
The visitors appeared focused and well-organised from the off, while the return of Anguissa brought calm in midfield. Anguissa’s positive play and neat through-ball teed up Lookman’s well-taken opener, while the mazy runs of England youth international Lookman caused Leicester problems on the break throughout.
Cavaleiro’s coolness from the spot, following his unfortunate slip in his previous miss, perhaps best typified a transformed Fulham display.
The visitors took a much more defensive approach in the second half in an attempt to keep Leicester at bay but, after Lookman was denied by Schmeichel at close range with 15 minutes remaining, Parker’s men successfully endured a late barrage to leave with an excellent three points.
Source – BBC News
