Leicester City stunned by hopefuls Fulham

Leicester City’s puzzling form continued tonight as Fulham stunned the Foxes 1-2 at home, thanks to goals from Ademola Lookman and Ivan Cavaleiro.

‘Leicester City syndrome’ reared its ugly head again tonight as the Foxes fell to a shock defeat at the hands of relegation battlers Fulham. Brendan Rodgers’ men were heavy favourites to take all three points tonight as Scott Parker’s side sat 19th in the league prior to the game, but the West London club took their chances well and emerged with a deserved second victory of the season.

Leicester started lively, committing a number of players forward in an attempt to break down Fulham’s low block. However, this ended to their detriment as the away side launched a devastating counter-attack, with Andre-Frank Zambo Aguissa’s through ball putting Ademola Lookman one-on-one with Kasper Schmeichel, finishing emphatically.

The hosts didn’t seem too disheartened by Fulham’s opener, but an Ivan Cavaleiro penalty eight minutes later left the Foxes without a way back. Bobby Decordova-Reid made a surging run into the box and did well to get to the ball before Christian Fuchs, who clipped the attacker in his attempt to reach the ball. The Cottagers’ penalty woes were finally put to bed as Cavaleiro gave Schmeichel no chance, putting the away side two goals to the good.

In the second half, Rodgers made two changes, swapping Luke Thomas and Dennis Praet for Cengiz Ünder and Harvey Barnes respectively, as Leicester City attempted to find a way back into the game. The momentum appeared to be with them for a while but soon dissipated, as the depth of Parker’s men continued to frustrate the Foxes’ attack.

Rodgers shuffled the pack once again at the seventy minute mark, as Papy Mendy made way for the Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho. The East Midlands club finally got their goal in the 86th minute as Jamie Vardy’s knockdown was met with a superb finish by the substitute Barnes, but it proved too little too late as the Cottagers took home all three points.

Leicester City Syndrome

In my experience, it seems to me that three things are certain in life: death, taxes and Leicester City losing to teams in the bottom three. I’m not quite sure why this continues to happen, but season after season very little seems to change. The words ‘Norwich‘ and ‘Cardiff‘ spring to mind.

Credit where credit is due and criticism where criticism is due- I believe Rodgers took the wrong approach for today’s game. Starting a back three against 19th placed Fulham is a borderline criminal offence, while if Harvey Barnes isn’t starting against the division’s leakiest defence, then what’s the benefit? Leicester’s tricky wide man showed what Rodgers’ starting XI was missing with a technically marvellous strike in the embers of today’s match- hopefully sealing his place for Sheffield United next week.

This Robin Hood-esque behaviour of felling giants- only to give up the goods to below-par opposition is becomingly rapidly frustrating as a Leicester supporter. What’s the good in picking up mastermind wins against teams like Man City, only to give the points to relegation battlers like Fulham? (with all due respect to Scott Parker’s side). The final piece of the puzzle for Leicester to become a true top six club is consistency- but it’s been sorely lacking in recent seasons.