Fulham vs Leicester Report

Scorers: Smith Rowe 18’, Iwobi 70’; Faes 38’

Fulham Secure First Home Win of the Season with Victory Over Leicester City

Fulham clinched their first home win of the Premier League season since 2012/13, edging out newly-promoted Leicester City 2-1 at Craven Cottage.

This victory not only marks a significant milestone for the Cottagers but also extends their head-to-head dominance over Leicester to three consecutive matches.

First Half: Smith Rowe Opens His Fulham Account

Fulham fans, who were left disappointed after a narrow loss at Old Trafford on the opening day, had reason to celebrate early in their home campaign.

It took just 18 minutes for summer signing Emile Smith Rowe to make his mark, scoring his first goal for Fulham after joining from Arsenal.

The goal came from a well-worked move involving Adama Traoré, who set up Smith Rowe with a neat pass, allowing the midfielder to drive into the box and unleash a powerful left-footed shot past Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

The early goal put Leicester on the back foot, and Fulham nearly doubled their lead shortly after. Rodrigo Muniz came close to scoring, heading just wide from Antonee Robinson’s deep cross. Despite Fulham’s dominance, Leicester managed to find an equaliser against the run of play in the 38th minute.

Wout Faes powered a header into the net from a corner, but the goal was initially disallowed for an offside infringement against Jamie Vardy. However, after a brief VAR review, referee Darren Bond overturned the decision, and the goal stood, bringing the Foxes level.

Second Half: Iwobi Seals the Win for Fulham

The second half began with a scare for Leicester as Wout Faes nearly turned from hero to villain.

His careless flick allowed Fulham to create a chance, but Rodrigo Muniz’s shot sailed over the bar, sparing Faes from embarrassment. Leicester fought hard to stay in the game, but Fulham’s relentless pressure eventually paid off in the 70th minute.

Alex Iwobi, who had been lively throughout the match, latched onto a first-time pass from Antonee Robinson and raced through on goal. The Nigerian international kept his composure, slotting a left-footed shot past Hermansen to restore Fulham’s lead.

Fulham Hold On for a Vital Win

After regaining the lead, Fulham remained resolute, determined not to let the advantage slip again. The defence stood firm, repelling Leicester’s late attempts to find another equaliser.

The final whistle brought relief and joy to the Craven Cottage faithful, as Fulham celebrated their first home Premier League win since March and their first home opener victory in over a decade.

This result is a significant boost for Fulham as they look to build momentum early in the season. For Leicester, the defeat is a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead as they adapt to life back in the Premier League.

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Fulham v Leicester, 2024/25 | Premier League