Fulham hit on Leicester City’s Premier League survival

• Fulham hosted Leicester City in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on Monday evening
• Leicester needed a win to bolster their chances of staying in the Premier League 
• The Foxes suffered a devastating 5-3 loss and are back in the relegation zone with three matches left to play

Leicester City suffered a devastating 5-3 loss to Fulham in a Premier League match at Craven Cottage, which further threatened their chances of avoiding relegation. Despite entering the game with a three-match unbeaten run, the visitors were unable to cope with Fulham’s attacking prowess in the first half, conceding three goals to Willian, Carlos Vinicius, and Tom Cairney.

Cairney scored again in the second half, followed by another goal from Willian, which put Fulham out of reach. Leicester City managed to pull back two goals through Harvey Barnes and James Maddison, but it was not enough to make a significant impact on the final outcome.

The visitors started the game outside the relegation zone but were immediately under pressure from Fulham, who scored from their first chance, albeit through a stroke of luck, when Willian’s cross went untouched and found the top corner.

Leicester City midfielder Tom Cairney celebrates after scoring against Leicester City in a Premier League clash at Craven Cottage on Monday, May 8 2023. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |

Leicester tried to fight back, with Maddison crossing low for Barnes, but he was unable to convert. Fulham doubled their lead soon after when Vinicius capitalized on a Leicester mistake and scored his team’s second goal. Leicester City almost managed to get back into the game when Bernd Leno saved Jamie Vardy’s shot, but it was Fulham who continued to dominate, with Reed firing straight at Iversen from Willian’s cut-back.

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Fulham’s third goal arrived before half-time when Cairney found the bottom corner with a well-taken shot after a good run from Vinicius. Leicester came out with attacking urgency in the second half, but their defensive frailties remained as disorganised as before, as Cairney scored his second and Fulham’s fourth.

Barnes scored a consolation goal, but Leno saved Vardy’s penalty, extinguishing any faint hope for Leicester. Willian scored his second goal minutes later, sealing the win for Fulham. Maddison and Barnes scored late goals for Leicester, but it was not enough to make a significant impact on the result.

The game showcased Leicester City’s defensive vulnerability, which has been a persistent problem for them this season. The team’s inability to cope with Fulham’s attacking prowess further dented their hopes of avoiding relegation.

Despite Leicester’s efforts to rally back, the two-goal margin did not reflect the extent of Fulham’s dominance, and the result suggests that Leicester’s chances of remaining in the Premier League look slim.