Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 04/01/23...

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Results

Tuesday
Arsenal	0-0	Newcastle
Everton	1-4	Brighton
Leicester	0-1	Fulham
Man Utd	3-0	Bournemouth

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Leicester City 0-1 Fulham

Mitrovic's opener was his 11th Premier League goal of the season, equalling his season's best return.

Fulham matchwinner Aleksandar Mitrovic said his side "want to keep the dream going" after their 1-0 victory at Leicester City lifted them up to seventh in the Premier League table.

The striker chested down Willian's cross before firing home from close range in the 17th minute to help the Cottagers win their third successive match since the league returned after the World Cup break.

Fulham's latest win means they now sit on 28 points - level with Liverpool - and in a Europa Conference League spot.

In their last two Premier League campaigns they went down with 26 points in 2018-19 and 28 in 2020-21.

"It's amazing," said Mitrovic, 28. "When you get promoted, the first target is to stay up.

"We don't think ahead, we stay with both feet on the ground. We'll see what happens at the end.

"This is a dream for us - we want to keep the dream going."

Joy and pain for matchwinner Mitrovic
Relegation fights feel like a thing of the past for Marco Silva's side, who had the game's first chance through Willian's curling shot.

The Brazilian then set up Mitrovic, whose opener was his second goal in three games and 11th of the campaign to equal his season's best in the top flight.

The only blot on the Serbian's record was a 78th-minute yellow card for a foul on Harvey Barnes, which will rule him out of Fulham's next league match with Chelsea next Thursday.

Fulham had a chance to double their lead in injury-time but Harry Wilson scuffed his shot narrowly wide when one-on-one with Leicester keeper Danny Ward.

"[This was] the best way to finish 2022 and the best way to start 2023," said manager Silva.

"We have to be realistic and to keep our feet on the ground. No-one expected us to be in this position before the season started. You are here to enjoy and embrace the challenge.

"We have 28 points, it's a big achievement for us now but we have to keep on working hard."

Rodgers wants January arrivals after third straight loss
Leicester, who were greeted with boos at the full-time whistle, fell to a third defeat on the bounce and remain three points above the bottom three in 13th.

They almost levelled through Youri Tielemans, who smashed an 80th-minute effort against the crossbar.

Ayoze Perez also went close for the Foxes, failing to convert a Tielemans cross, while Fulham keeper Bernd Leno made an important stop to deny Barnes.

While Fulham have shone since the resumption, Leicester's form has been dull, even if they were unfortunate in their defeat to Liverpool last time out.

Brendan Rodgers' team finished the game down on two key midfielders, with Boubakary Soumare suffering a hamstring injury in the first half and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall injured in the warm-up.

"Hopefully we can get some strength in January," Rodgers said afterwards.

"There's not a lot of money but maybe there is some to do with what we want to do."

Both sides are in FA Cup third round action on Saturday, with Leicester at League Two Gillingham and Fulham visiting Championship side Hull City.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64099602

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Marco's Post-Leicester press conference

Marco Silva chatted to the press after our hard-fought 1-0 win over Leicester City on Tuesday.

"I want to highlight how we started the game. I thought that in the first half, especially the first 25 minutes, we were brilliant. In the first 10 minutes we created two or three clear chances to score.

"We started the game dominant, playing in the opposition half for most of the time. Then we scored a brilliant goal. It was a great assist from Willian and then a great finish from Mitro.

Marco had plenty of respect for our opposition, who made it a difficult evening.

"It was a tough, tough game for us and we expected that because we knew that they'd react after the two defeats and this is always a tough place to come. With their quality, we knew that they could punish us in many ways.

"After our start, they reacted and they did it really well, pushing us back further than I would like to see the team pushed.

"Overall, I think we deserved the three points for our commitment and desire and to come here and play the way we did in the first half was really good for us and the boys deserved everything. I said to them before the game in the hotel and at half-time that they'd need to be really resilient to come and win this football match."

When asked about the second half in particular, Marco was full of praise for Bernd Leno, who put in a brilliant display.

"He's been impressive all season and we did everything to have him with us because we knew his quality and we knew what he could add to this football club and this group of players.

"He's a top, top goalkeeper and he's performing at a very high level in my opinion, which is not a surprise. All the fans should enjoy having a goalkeeper like him in their team."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/january/03/Marcos-Post-Leicester-press conference/

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Leicester 0-1 Fulham

Fulham secured their third Premier League win on the bounce on Tuesday night, beating Leicester City 1-0 at the King Power Stadium.

Aleksandar Mitrović scored his 11th goal of the season in the first half to put us ahead, and some heroic defending and goalkeeping meant we kept the hosts out to take another huge three points.

Marco Silva made just the one change to the side that secured a late win over Southampton last weekend, with Tosin returning at the back in place of Issa Diop, who dropped to the substitutes bench.

We started brightly under the King Power lights and created the first decent opening early on. Willian found the overlapping run of Antonee Robinson down the left, whose cross was met by Andreas Pereira. A good block saw the ball bounce out to Willian, who smashed over.

Our Brazilian came even closer just seconds later. Kenny Tete made a brilliant bursting run through midfield before finding the winger, whose low right-footed effort whizzed inches wide of the far post.

Our excellent start was rewarded on the 17-minute mark, courtesy of Mitro. Willian played a simply stunning lofted ball across to our big man, who controlled it perfectly with his chest before calmly finishing. The Leicester back line could do nothing but watch on as the move unfolded.

The hosts were rattled and Mitro could've added a second a few minutes later. Bobby De Cordova-Reid powered down the right and found the Serbian with a low cross. He found himself in a great position but couldn't get a clean connection on the strike.

Despite their quiet start, the Foxes should've grabbed a leveller soon after the 20-minute point. Youri Tielemans played a great ball towards Ayoze Pérez at the back-post but he blazed over from close-range. If it had been on target, Bernd Leno would've had little chance.

Leno was later called into action with 10 minutes of the half remaining following some neat Leicester build-up play. Jamie Vardy's low square ball from the right looked to be heading straight for Harvey Barnes, but our stopper came diving off his line to intercept.

Leicester continued to grow into the game, with Albrighton's effort from range sliding just wide of the far post. A few of their attackers tried to reach the pacey ball but could only watch it go out for a goal kick.

Mitro's stylish finish was all that separated the two sides at the break.

The first big chance after the break went the way of Leicester. Pérez played an inch-perfect curling ball through to Barnes, but his attempted lob was brilliantly blocked by Leno.

Brendan Rodgers' men were finding more success than in the first half and we had Leno to thank again not long after. Vardy was fed through, but his low attempt was saved by the legs of the German.

We were riding a storm early in the second half. Tielemans, who has gained a reputation for his long-range shots, tried to curl an effort into the far corner. Leno was at full stretch but the ball floated just wide.

The hosts continued to push for an equaliser, but our defence stood firm as the 75th minute approached. Leno once again came to the rescue, stretching to his right to parry an effort from Pérez.

Mitro went into the book soon after, and that yellow card means he'll be unavailable for our upcoming clash with Chelsea.

Leicester were denied by the woodwork with 10 minutes remaining, when Tielemans' excellent half-volley thundered against the crossbar. Our opponents were being spurred on by the home crowd.

Substitute Harry Wilson had a huge opportunity to add a second as the board revealed that seven minutes would be added. Fellow sub Tom Cairney played a neat ball through to the Welshman, whose little dink over Danny Ward bounced agonisingly wide.

We soaked up all the pressure and took all three points back to the capital.

Leicester: Ward, Thomas (Iheanacho 72'), Amartey, Castagne, Faes, Soumaré (Albrighton 8'), Tielemans, Pérez, Barnes, Ndidi (Mendy 72'), Vardy

Subs: Brunt, Albrighton, Mendy, McAteer, Vestergaard, Iheanacho, Iversen, Söyüncü

Fulham FC: Leno, Tete, Ream, Tosin, Robinson, Reed, Palhinha, De Cordova-Reid (Wilson 66'), Andreas Pereira (Cairney 59'), Willian (Diop 82'), Mitrović

Subs: Carlos Vinícius, Kurzawa, Chalobah, Wilson, Rodák, James, Diop, Cairney, Solomon



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/january/03/Leicester-0-1-Fulham/

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Leicester 0-1 Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic ends his seven-game goal drought in the Premier League as Marco Silva's side win third straight match to move level with Liverpool in sixth

    Fulham won their third successive Premier League game by beating Leicester
    Visitors got off to the dream start with Aleksandar Mitrovic opening the scoring
    Mitrovic's opener ended his seven-game goal drought in the Premier League
    Brendan Rodgers' already thin squad are struggling with injuries  

Brendan Rodgers has called for reinforcements as his injury-hit Leicester side slipped to their third straight defeat since the Premier League restart.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's first-half goal was enough to sink the Foxes, who lost Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to a muscular problem during the warm-up before Boubakary Soumare pulled up early in the match with a hamstring problem. That made it nine first-team players absent through injury, including their best player James Maddison and captain Jonny Evans.

With this win Fulham surpassed their points total for the entire 2018-19 season, and levelled their tally for the 2020-21 campaign. After their rapid improvement before the World Cup, these are troubling times again for Leicester, who have still not beaten a team in the top half this term.


Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after breaking the deadlock against Leicester on Tuesday


The Serbian forward ended his seven-game goal drought in the Premier League for Fulham


Mitrovic collected a smart pass from Willian to finish brilliantly inside the box for Fulham


Mitrovic (left) celebrates with Willian after the two combine brilliantly in the 18th minute

'Hopefully we can get some strength in January,' said Rodgers, who would like a right-winger, a left-back and a centre-back. 'There's not a lot of money but maybe there is some to do what we want to do.

'It's a small squad and when we have a few injuries we are short in terms of the number we want. It makes it difficult but we have to keep fighting and hope we can get one or two players back and take it from there.'

Fulham were guilty of time-wasting throughout and rode their luck, especially in the second half, as Youri Tielemans hit the bar with a stunning volley and Ayoze Perez, Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy missed excellent chances, but Leicester were still booed off at half-time and full-time.

Vardy runs as hard as ever but turns 36 later this month and is struggling to find the old spark. Leicester have to back Rodgers in the market to give themselves the best chance of dodging a relegation fight.


Willian (left) holds off the challenge of Youri Tielemans in a tightly-contested match

Bernd Leno was superb in goal for Fulham and their fans were singing about European football throughout. Manager Marco Silva said: 'The fans are dreaming about winning something and it's important they can dream. We are here to achieve important things for the club.

'Bernd Leno is a top goalkeeper and it's not a surprise that he's performing at a high level. We tried hard to convince him to come and we have to enjoy having a goalkeeper like him.'

Leicester were already missing seven players when Dewsbury-Hall had to be replaced before kick-off by Wilfred Ndidi and things went from bad to worse when Soumare came off after only eight minutes.

By that time, Willian had already wasted two good chances for the visitors and it was no surprise when the home side fell behind in the 17th minute.

Mitrovic had just had lengthy treatment following a heavy challenge on his ankle by Ndidi, but he had recovered in time to control Willian's cross and guide home his 11th goal of the season from close range. It was a tidy finish by Mitrovic but the defending was appalling and it was no surprised when the boos from the home fans started after only 20 minutes.

Leicester did at least rally in attack. Perez somehow fired over from an unmarked position six yards out after fabulous work by Tielemans on the right.

A deflected shot from Barnes had Leno scrambling to concede a corner, before the German did well to palm away Vardy's cross. The slight improvement did not spare Leicester from more boos when half-time came.

Leicester should have levelled when Barnes ran on to Luke Thomas' long pass but failed to lift his shot over Leno, who stood up well. Perez set up Vardy for the sort of chance he takes with ease when in top form – this one was drilled against Leno's legs. Tielemans looked the Foxes' most likely source of inspiration and curled just wide from 20 yards.

Into the final quarter, substitute Kelechi Iheanacho teed up Perez to bring another important save from Leno. And when Leno was finally beaten by Tielemans' ferocious effort from the edge of the box, the crossbar came to his rescue.

Substitute Harry Wilson could have made stoppage time a breeze for Fulham only to stab wide when one on one with Danny Ward.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11596129/Leicester-0-1-Fulham-Aleksandar-Mitrovics-strike-makes-three-wins-three-Cottagers.html

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'Absolutely honking' Leicester City spark anger with Fulham defeat

Latest Leicester City news as supporters react to the 1-0 defeat at home to Fulham in the Premier League

Leicester City supporters have vented their anger after watching their team lose 1-0 to Fulham on Tuesday evening.

Aleksandar Mitrović scored the only goal of the game in the 17th minute to give the Londoners all three points at the King Power Stadium. City had lost two players to injury by the time the clock struck five minutes, and things went from bad to worse from there.

City had plenty of chances to equalise in the second half, with Youri Tielemans and Ayoze Pérez going closest, but it is now three league defeats from three since the World Cup break ended. Below is a look at what supporters are saying on Twitter.

@GaffneyPaul: We are going down

@JoeyTMlemaster: Instead of selling Maddison & Tielemans, Leicester City should work on selling Harvey Barnes and Ndidi. They haven't been good all season.

@toby_shanks23: One of those seasons where there is no luck even when we play some decent football.

@JBaker9038: The fact that Barnes and Perez get picked to play over Kelechi Iheanacho week after week is disgusting and it makes no sense at all.

@Team_Hotdog: This team is absolutely honking. We'll do well to stay up

@ajwatchLCFC: We aren't scoring if we stopped out there all night! We are so rubbish though, it's painful to watch!

@THENUNEATONFOX: Is it time to get worried about #LCFC. 2 home games since the break and no goals...where are they coming from???

@ndidiXR_25: The downfall of this front 3 is the size of the Grand Canyon, not capable enough of delivering when the pressures on in this league anymore

@BearsAndLcfc: Lestah desperately need a win. Hopefully some more quality can be added this transfer window.



https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-fan-reaction-fulham-7991668

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Mitrovic fires Fulham up to seventh with win at Leicester

LEICESTER, England, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic continued his fine season in front of goal after his first-half strike earned them a 1-0 win at Leicester City on Tuesday, sending Marco Silva's promoted side seventh in the Premier League.

Fulham deservedly got themselves in front in the 17th minute through Serbia striker Mitrovic, who powered home his 11th league goal of the campaign after being picked out by a fine Willian cross.

The opener gave the hosts the jolt they needed and they should have levelled midway through the first half, but Ayoze Perez blazed over from close range.

Leicester had several chances to snatch a point but found away goalkeeper Bernd Leno in inspired form, while Belgium international Youri Tielemans was unlucky to see a stunning strike come out off the crossbar.

Despite plenty of late Leicester pressure, Fulham held on to move above west London rivals Brentford and up to a lofty seventh position, while a third successive league loss for the hosts leaves them 13th, three points above the relegation zone.

Fulham continue to defy the odds in their first season back in the Premier League, with Mitrovic's goals proving crucial, just as they did in the Championship last season.

"It's amazing," Mitrovic told Sky Sports. "When you get promoted the first target is to stay up. I feel we can do a little bit more. We don't think ahead. We stay with both feet on the ground. We'll see what happens at the end.

"I have five-goal targets. I want to try to reach 15 first and then we'll see."

Leicester have lost three successive home league games for the first time since February 2019. It is also the first time that the Foxes have lost three consecutive top-flight home league games without scoring since September 1983.

"We created some really good chances, we should have scored. We were really unlucky," Tielemans said. "We could have come home with three points.

"Today, apart from the start, we did really well."



https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/mitrovic-fires-fulham-up-seventh-with-win-leicester-2023-01-03/?rpc=401&;

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Aleksandar Mitrovic goal boosts Fulham's European charge with win at Leicester

Leicester 0-1 Fulham: Mitrovic now has 11 Premier League goals this season after securing the Cottagers a third straight 1-0 win


(Action Images via Reuters)

Aleksandar Mitrovic boosted Fulham's European charge as the Cottagers downed Leicester with a narrow win on the road.

The striker fired Marco Silva's side to a third-straight win after a 1-0 Premier League victory at the King Power Stadium.

It left Fulham seventh in the Premier League on 28 points – the same amount they were relegated with in 2021 – and level with Liverpool.

The Cottagers are in dreamland, in contrast to the Foxes with boss Brendan Rodgers' consistent reality checks still ringing true after a third-straight defeat.

Rodgers has always been insistent this season would be one of struggle and his side have reverted to their early form which saw his own position called into question.

Youri Tielemans rattled the crossbar during an improved second half but it was Fulham's fast start which ultimately sealed the points.

Willian shot over inside the opening five minutes and he had another close effort soon after, curling just wide after Kenny Tete's break.

The Foxes had already lost Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to injury minutes before kick-off, with Wilfred Ndidi coming in, and saw Boubakary Soumare limp off after just eight minutes.

Mitrovic also required treatment meaning the game struggled to get going – until the striker found the winner after 17 minutes.

Wout Faes' own-goal double gifted Liverpool victory last week and the Foxes again shot themselves in the foot.

Daniel Amartey needlessly gifted possession to Harrison Reed with Willian seizing the chance to cross for Mitrovic.

The striker peeled off the back of Faes, the defender caught ball watching, and he had time to control and finish neatly past Danny Ward.

It was Mitrovic's 11th goal of the season – equalling his best Premier League haul.

The hosts were restless but they should have been calmed when Tielemans teed up Ayoze Perez, only for the unmarked striker to blaze horribly over from six yards after 24 minutes.

It only served to increase the anxiety at the King Power Stadium, although Bernd Leno needed to be alert to beat away Jamie Vardy's centre with Harvey Barnes lurking.

Leicester were at their frustrating best as there were glimpses of a comeback without any serious sign they were going to haul themselves level.

They had improved from a poor start but were still jeered off at the break while Fulham looked comfortable.

Yet the visitors were almost undone five minutes after the restart when Luke Thomas produced a brilliant ball for Barnes but the forward could not lift his shot over the advancing Leno.

Leicester had begun to find space and the goalkeeper denied Vardy before Tielemans curled the ball wide.

Fulham held firm, though, and remain upwardly mobile with the impressive Reed central to their success.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/leicester-fulham-score-result-aleksandar-mitrovic-b2255502.html

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Director admits £7m Fulham target is free to leave, Cottagers in talks

Roma director Thiago Pinto admits that Rick Karsdorp is up for sale as Fulham enter talks about bringing the Dutch international to the Premier League during the January transfer window, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport. 

In an interview with The Guardian last week, acclaimed director Sam Mendes had one name in mind when asked who from the real world would make an ideal 'Bond Villain'. 

"Jose Mourinho. You can't get better than that can you?". 

And former Feyenoord right-back Karsdorp has discovered the hard way just how brutal, how ruthless Mourinho can be when backed into a corner, falling out of favour after a high-profile and rather unseemly breakdown in relations between manager and coach. 

The 'Spectre' of a January departure now hangs over Karsdorp; Fulham in talks regarding a potential winter move to Craven Cottage (La Repubblica). 

Fulham want Rick Karsdorp from Jose Mourinho Serie A giants AS Roma
"Our coach was straightforward. But, after games, the emotional part emerges," Pinto said when quizzed about the public falling out between Mourinho and Karsdorp. "There are many examples, also among the top clubs in the Premier League. These things happen in football. 

"Many have forgotten about the best version of Karsdorp, who has started 60 games in 18 months under Mourinho." 

While Roma are looking to cash in on Karsdorp, do not make the mistake of assuming the 27-year-old will be sold for a knock-down fee. The 2022 Conference League winners want at least £7 million. A fee that Fulham, at this stage, have been unwilling to match. 

"He is on the market, but he will never leave for free," Pinto adds. "If he goes, we must find a way to keep the team balanced. But not necessarily by signing a new full-back. 

"With (Zeki) Celik, (Nicola) Zalewski, (Matias) Vina, (Leonardo) Spinazzola and (Stephan) El Shaarawy, the wings are covered anyway." 

Karsdorp would provide further competition for the excellent Kenny Tete on the right-hand side should he join Marco Silva's high-flying Fuham. The Cottagers' interest, meanwhile, raises questions about the future of Kevin Mbabu. 

Mbabu has started just one Premier League game since joining from Wolfsburg last summer. He also missed out on a place in Switzerland's Qatar World Cup squad. 



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/01/03/director-admits-7m-fulham-target-is-free-to-leave-cottagers-hold-talks/

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Leicester City 0-1 Fulham: Silva's men up to seventh after Mitrovic nets winner in away victory

Aleksandar ­Mitrovic scored his 11th Premier League goal of the 2022/23 season as Fulham edged past Leicester City to move up to seventh.

The striker fired the Cottagers to a third straight victory as they boosted their European charge.

It left Fulham on 28 points, the same tally they were relegated with in 2021. They are also level with Liverpool.

The Cottagers are in dreamland, in contrast to the Foxes with boss Brendan Rodgers' consistent reality checks still ringing true after a third-straight defeat.

Rodgers has always been insistent this season would be one of struggle and his side have reverted to their early form which saw his own position called into question.

Youri Tielemans rattled the crossbar during an improved second half but it was Fulham's fast start which ultimately sealed the points.

Willian shot over inside the opening five minutes and he had another close effort soon after, curling just wide after Kenny Tete's break.

The Foxes had already lost Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to injury minutes before kick-off, with Wilfred Ndidi coming in, and saw Boubakary Soumare limp off after just eight minutes.

Mitrovic also required treatment meaning the game struggled to get going – until the striker found the winner after 17 minutes.

Wout Faes' own-goal double gifted Liverpool victory last week and the Foxes again shot themselves in the foot.

Daniel Amartey needlessly gifted possession to Harrison Reed with Willian seizing the chance to cross for Mitrovic.

The striker peeled off the back of Faes, the defender caught ball watching, and he had time to control and finish neatly past Danny Ward.

It was Mitrovic's 11th goal of the season – equalling his best Premier League haul.

The hosts were restless but they should have been calmed when Tielemans teed up Ayoze Perez, only for the unmarked striker to blaze horribly over from six yards after 24 minutes.

It only served to increase the anxiety at the King Power Stadium, although Bernd Leno needed to be alert to beat away Jamie Vardy's centre with Harvey Barnes lurking.

Leicester were at their frustrating best as there were glimpses of a comeback without any serious sign they were going to haul themselves level.

They had improved from a poor start but were still jeered off at the break while Fulham looked comfortable.

Yet the visitors were almost undone five minutes after the restart when Luke Thomas produced a brilliant ball for Barnes but the forward could not lift his shot over the advancing Leno.

Leicester had begun to find space and the goalkeeper denied Vardy before Tielemans curled the ball wide.

Fulham held firm, though, and remain upwardly mobile with the impressive Reed central to their success.

Leno saved well from Perez with 13 minutes left and Tielemans went even closer three minutes later when a trademark half volley smacked the bar.

Fulham rode their luck but Harry Wilson had the chance to make it comfortable in injury time only to prod wide after sprinting clear.



https://www.football365.com/news/leicester-city-0-1-fulham-silva-men-up-seventh-mitrovic-nets-winner-away-victory

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Fulham back up to seventh after beating Leicester
Leicester 0 Fulham 1
Fulham's excellent season continued with a victory which moved them back up to seventh in the Premier League table.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 17th-minute goal gave them the points at the King Power Stadium – their third consecutive win.

Willian's cross was chested down and fired home by the Serbian striker, who continues to defy the doubters who did not believe he could cut it in the top flight.

Leicester almost grabbed a late equaliser when Youri Tielemans' strike hit the bar.

Tielemans also set up Ayoze Perez, who failed to hit the target, and Fulham keeper Bernd Leno made a vital save to deny Harvey Barnes.

Fulham: Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; De Cordova-Reid (Wilson 66), Pereira (Cairney 59), Willian (Diop 82); Mitrovic.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/leicester-v-fulham-fc-41202233

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Mitrovic goal helps surging Fulham beat Leicester 1-0

LEICESTER, England (AP) — Aleksandar Mitrovic's early goal was enough for Fulham in a 1-0 win at Leicester in the Premier League on Tuesday.

The Serbia striker's 11th goal — matching his best league haul — helped the visitors win their third straight game and hold onto seventh place, within sight of European competition.

The London club has 28 points — the same amount it was relegated with in 2021.

In the 17th minute, Mitrovic chested down Willian's cross into the box and and fired it past goalkeeper Danny Ward.

Inconsistent all season, Brendan Rodgers' team lost its third consecutive league game. Youri Tielemans hit the crossbar for Leicester in the second half at the King Power Stadium.



https://apnews.com/article/sports-soccer-aleksandar-mitrovic-youri-tielemans-danny-ward-1aac5f76fc89a7f5fd36f7d5d59afde9

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Leicester 0-1 Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic ends his seven-game goal drought in the Premier League as Marco Silva's side win third straight match to move level with Liverpool in sixth

    Fulham won their third successive Premier League game by beating Leicester
    Visitors got off to the dream start with Aleksandar Mitrovic opening the scoring
    Mitrovic's opener ended his seven-game goal drought in the Premier League
    Brendan Rodgers' already thin squad are struggling with injuries 

Brendan Rodgers has called for reinforcements as his injury-hit Leicester side slipped to their third straight defeat since the Premier League restart.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's first-half goal was enough to sink the Foxes, who lost Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to a muscular problem during the warm-up before Boubakary Soumare pulled up early in the match with a hamstring problem. That made it nine first-team players absent through injury, including their best player James Maddison and captain Jonny Evans.

With this win Fulham surpassed their points total for the entire 2018-19 season, and levelled their tally for the 2020-21 campaign. After their rapid improvement before the World Cup, these are troubling times again for Leicester, who have still not beaten a team in the top half this term.


Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after breaking the deadlock against Leicester on Tuesday


The Serbian forward ended his seven-game goal drought in the Premier League for Fulham


Mitrovic collected a smart pass from Willian to finish brilliantly inside the box for Fulham


Mitrovic (left) celebrates with Willian after the two combine brilliantly in the 18th minute

'Hopefully we can get some strength in January,' said Rodgers, who would like a right-winger, a left-back and a centre-back. 'There's not a lot of money but maybe there is some to do what we want to do.

'It's a small squad and when we have a few injuries we are short in terms of the number we want. It makes it difficult but we have to keep fighting and hope we can get one or two players back and take it from there.'

Fulham were guilty of time-wasting throughout and rode their luck, especially in the second half, as Youri Tielemans hit the bar with a stunning volley and Ayoze Perez, Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy missed excellent chances, but Leicester were still booed off at half-time and full-time.

Vardy runs as hard as ever but turns 36 later this month and is struggling to find the old spark. Leicester have to back Rodgers in the market to give themselves the best chance of dodging a relegation fight.


Willian (left) holds off the challenge of Youri Tielemans in a tightly-contested match

Bernd Leno was superb in goal for Fulham and their fans were singing about European football throughout. Manager Marco Silva said: 'The fans are dreaming about winning something and it's important they can dream. We are here to achieve important things for the club.

'Bernd Leno is a top goalkeeper and it's not a surprise that he's performing at a high level. We tried hard to convince him to come and we have to enjoy having a goalkeeper like him.'

Leicester were already missing seven players when Dewsbury-Hall had to be replaced before kick-off by Wilfred Ndidi and things went from bad to worse when Soumare came off after only eight minutes.

By that time, Willian had already wasted two good chances for the visitors and it was no surprise when the home side fell behind in the 17th minute.

Mitrovic had just had lengthy treatment following a heavy challenge on his ankle by Ndidi, but he had recovered in time to control Willian's cross and guide home his 11th goal of the season from close range. It was a tidy finish by Mitrovic but the defending was appalling and it was no surprised when the boos from the home fans started after only 20 minutes.

Leicester did at least rally in attack. Perez somehow fired over from an unmarked position six yards out after fabulous work by Tielemans on the right.

A deflected shot from Barnes had Leno scrambling to concede a corner, before the German did well to palm away Vardy's cross. The slight improvement did not spare Leicester from more boos when half-time came.

Leicester should have levelled when Barnes ran on to Luke Thomas' long pass but failed to lift his shot over Leno, who stood up well. Perez set up Vardy for the sort of chance he takes with ease when in top form – this one was drilled against Leno's legs. Tielemans looked the Foxes' most likely source of inspiration and curled just wide from 20 yards.

Into the final quarter, substitute Kelechi Iheanacho teed up Perez to bring another important save from Leno. And when Leno was finally beaten by Tielemans' ferocious effort from the edge of the box, the crossbar came to his rescue.

Substitute Harry Wilson could have made stoppage time a breeze for Fulham only to stab wide when one on one with Danny Ward.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11596129/Leicester-0-1-Fulham-Aleksandar-Mitrovics-strike-makes-three-wins-three-Cottagers.html

7 game goal drought for Mitro??? What on earth is the Daily Mail writer smoking?? He scored against Palace on Boxing Day....

[Sting of the North]

I believe it was mentioned during the game that Mitro had a seven match goal drought against Leicester. The writer likely listened on with one ear only, and couldn't be arsed to think about it.

[St Eve]

I think he meant a one game goal drought. Terrible slump

[mrmicawbers]

Much appreciated Whitejc