Leicester 1-2 Fulham: Scott Parker’s men stun hosts to climb out the drop zone

Scott Parker made a point of congratulating every Fulham player after a performance of class and character that was the most fitting tribute imaginable to their former player Papa Bouba Diop.

Diop, who was at Fulham from 2004-07, died on Sunday aged 42 after a long illness. When Ademola Lookman put the visitors in front after half an hour, he held up a Senegal shirt carrying the No19 that Diop wore regularly.

This win lifted Fulham out of the relegation zone but it could prove so much more significant. Against Leicester – one of the strongest teams in the league this season – they were organised, resilient and incisive. 

Fulham climbed out of the relegation zone after stunning Leicester at the King Power Stadium

Ivan Cavaleiro (centre) brought an end to Fulham’s penalty woes after netting from 12 yards

Cavaleiro stepped up once again and smashed his penalty hard to Kasper Schmeichel’s left

They even managed to break their recent penalty duck: eight minutes after Lookman’s opener, Ivan Cavaleiro made it 2-0 from the spot for Parker’s side, after misses this season from Cavaleiro, Lookman and Aleksandar Mitrovic. 

Cavaleiro slipped in comical fashion before his miss against Everton on November 22 and Parker said: ‘I’m not on social media but I can only imagine what was said on there after that and Cav will have seen that.

‘We practised penalties all week and he said he was ready to take one. He showed courage and put himself up to be scrutinised – those are the qualities we need.’

Fulham centre-backs Joachim Andersen and Tosin Adarabioyo barely made a mistake all night, and in front of them Harrison Reed and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa dominated midfield.  

Ademola Lookman slotted home the opener for the impressive visitors with a superb finish

Referee Simon Hooper checked his VAR screen and deemed Christian Fuchs felled Bobby Reid

Parker’s men have looked relegation certainties at times this term but after only their second win in 26 away matches in this division, they now have something to build on ahead of their next two fixtures, against Manchester City and Liverpool.

Leicester could have joined leaders Tottenham and second-placed Liverpool on 21 points with a win but there is something amiss with Brendan Rodgers’ side when they play at home this term. 

A late goal from substitute Harvey Barnes here counted for nothing and they have now failed to take a single point from matches against West Ham, Aston Villa and Fulham at The King Power Stadium.

‘We gave away sloppy goals and we need to start games quicker,’ admitted Barnes. ‘There were a lot of things that add up to a performance like that. Ultimately, we weren’t up to it.’

‘Fulham deserved to win,’ added Rodgers, who is still without key men Wilfred Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira, Timothy Castagne and Caglar Soyuncu. ‘We are a young team and we played ‘young’ tonight.’

Cavaleiro celebrated Fulham’s second after handing the visitors a two-goal lead at half-time

Harvey Barnes smashed in Jamie Vardy’s downward header from close range in a nervy finish

Alphonse Areola was forced into a sharp stop at his near upright after Vardy’s ambitious flick

Once they had survived an early scare when Youri Tielemans and Wesley Fofana hit the woodwork within seconds of one another, Fulham never looked back – but only Leicester will know how they failed to score from that attack.

James Maddison’s free-kick hit the wall but fell to Tielemans, whose 25-yard volley struck a post. Fofana seized on the loose ball and flicked it over Alphonse Areola from six yards but against the bar.

Shortly afterwards, Areola was alert at his near post to stop Jamie Vardy turning in Dennis Praet’s cross with the same back-heel flick that brought him a goal in the 5-2 win at Manchester City.

It would prove a decisive save as Fulham took the lead on the half-hour mark. Tielemans squandered possession in midfield and Anguissa strode forward before releasing Lookman. The finish matched the pass as Lookman beat Kasper Schmeichel with confidence and celebrated by paying his respects to Diop.

Leicester tried to respond instantly and Adarabioyo had to clear Vardy’s low cross over his own crossbar. He was as sure-footed then as Christian Fuchs was clumsy in the 35th minute, which handed Fulham their second goal.

The hosts also came close twice when Youri Tielemans and Wesley Fofana hit the woodwork

Antonee Robinson was teed up on the left of the box but smashed his attempt at Schmeichel

Schmeichel was also forced into action in the second half to repel Ademola Lookman’s effort

The defender’s foul on Bobby Decordova-Reid was not spotted at first by referee Simon Hooper but when VAR advised him to take another look, Hooper reversed his decision. 

Cavaleiro made no mistake this time, driving beyond Schmeichel. ‘I didn’t feel pressure because you do miss in football,’ said the forward. ‘The manager gave me confidence and I did it.’

Leicester’s minds were scrambled, illustrated perfectly when they won a free-kick close to their left corner flag. With no danger apparent, Jonny Evans over-hit his pass and Schmeichel and Fofana left it to each other. Evans then played Fuchs into trouble and presented Ruben Loftus-Cheek with a chance 15 yards out, which he wasted. 

Leicester frontman Vardy endured a frustrating evening but teed up Barnes’ late consolation

Harrison Reed felled James Justin outside the penalty area but Leicester could not capitalise

Having changed shape twice from their original 3-4-2-1, Leicester did not know whether they were coming or going and were being picked off on the break. Lookman should have scored his second but was thwarted by Schmeichel’s sharp save and a timely clearance from Tielemans.

From nowhere, Leicester grabbed a lifeline in the 86th minute. Adarabioyo produced his first tired header of the game as he tried to clear Tielemans’ cross, allowing Vardy to nod it back for Barnes to fire home from close range. 

There was still time for Andersen, outstanding all night, to make another vital clearance to ensure his side hung on.  

Sportsmail’s DANIEL DAVIS provided live text commentary of the clash below…