Fulham 0-2 Leicester: Iheanacho and Justin strike in the first-half as Foxes sink struggling hosts
James Maddison took a pre-match selfie on the Craven Cottage pitch before producing a performance that ensured the image will take a prominent place in the Leicester star’s family album.
Two moments of inspiration from Maddison set up both Leicester goals – scored in the first half by Kelechi Iheanacho and James Justin – and kept Brendan Rodgers’ men firmly in the top-four hunt, leaving Fulham still well adrift of safety.
This result will have been as popular in Brighton, Burnley and Newcastle as it was in Leicester, as it left Fulham still without a league victory since they won the reverse fixture 2-1 in November.
Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates after opening the scoring in the 17th minute
Iheanacho directs a powerful header past Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on Wednesday
For Leicester, it was a solid return to form after last weekend’s surprise home defeat by Leeds, and they proved to themselves that they can win tricky games without injured pair Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi.
Rodgers is optimistic they may return at Wolves on Sunday, though centre-back Wesley Fofana is set to miss up to five weeks with a hamstring injury.
With that key duo on the sidelines, the pressure was on Maddison to deliver – and he did so with two brilliant assists. He now has six of them, as well as six goals, in his last 12 matches, and the 24-year-old is making himself increasingly difficult for England manager Gareth Southgate to ignore.
‘If his cross for the first goal had been from Kevin De Bruyne, everyone would be talking about it,’ said Rodgers.
‘He is an outstanding player with immense quality and I am so happy he is playing in my team.’
Fulham were in desperate need of points and they carved Leicester open in the 12th minute for the first clear chance, but Justin made a vital block to deny Aleksandar Mitrovic from close range.
Soon afterwards, Leicester were in front. Hamza Choudhury found Maddison to his right and the playmaker delivered the perfect cross for Iheanacho, who sneaked between Joachim Andersen and Ola Aina to head home.
The visitors nearly made it two in the 25th minute when Ayoze Perez’s cross reached Caglar Soyuncu, whose fierce volley was well stopped by Alphonse Areola.
Defender James Justin doubled Leicester’s lead from close range just before half-time
Justin prodded the ball home at the far post after James Maddison had slid the ball across
Scott Parker’s side remain third from bottom and seven points from safety after 21 games
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel superbly kept his side in front two minutes from the interval, pushing Tosin Adarabioyo’s header over the top following Ademola Lookman’s corner.
The importance of that save was apparent instantly. Iheanacho fed Maddison, who drew two defenders and slid a glorious pass inside for Justin, powering forward from left-back. Justin rounded Areola and squeezed the ball inside the post.
Fulham boss Scott Parker changed things at half-time, bringing off Zambo-Anguissa and Kenny Tete and sending on Mario Lemina and Ivan Cavaleiro.
Aleksandar Mitrovic was lively but Fulham failed to register a shot on target in the first-half
Leicester striker Iheanacho is tackled by Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa
Cavaleiro nearly made an immediate impact but his powerful drive from 20 yards flew just wide.
At the other end, Harrison Reed produced a fine block to deny Harvey Barnes and Ricardo Pereira thought he had scored on his first league start for 10 months – only for his effort to be ruled out because substitute Marc Albrighton was offside.
‘We are not wilting to a slow death,’ insisted Parker. ‘What one win can do is massive – but this position doesn’t surprise me. It’s a young team finding their way in this league.’
