IVAN NOT SO TERRIBLE
Boss Scott Parker praised Ivan Cavaleiro’s guts to take his spot- kick after his comical penalty slip- up against Everton nine days ago.
Cavaleiro’s penalty, added to Ademola Lookman’s opening goal, sealed Fulham’s second win of the season.
It all got a bit nervy for the last few minutes after Harvey Barnes pulled one back but Parker’s boys held out for a well- deserved three points.
But Parker was chuffed with his side and pinpointed Cavaleiro’s courage to step up for the penalty just before half- time.
Fulham have missed five of their last eight spot- kicks, including Lookman’s failed Panenka effort at West Ham.
Parker said: “That’s a massive win for us. Defeats can cripple you but this is a team that has belief.
“I’m not on Instagram or Twitter but I can only imagine the kind of things that were being said about Ivan’s slip.
“I said to him, ‘ Are you ready for it if we get one?’ He looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘ Yes’.
“After all he’s probably seen on social media this week, he was prepared to put himself on the line.
“There’s a sense of relief, there’s no denying that. I feel pleased but I know what can be around the corner.”
Leicester went incredibly close to scoring before things started to unravel in front of their eyes and were denied twice by the woodwork in the same move when Youri Tielemans hit the post with a volley and Wesley Fofana hit the bar with the follow- up. Minutes later, Jamie Vardy tried a trademark flick at the near post but keeper Alphonse Areola was wise to it and smothered. That was only the start of the home side’s agony as they fell behind on the half- hour mark when Andre- Frank Zambo Anguissa surged through Leicester’s backline and fed the ball to Lookman. Lookman was in a great position but still had Kasper Schmeichel to beat. However, he kept his head and coolly slotted his shot past the keeper and into the bottom corner.
A Senegal No. 19 shirt was held up on the bench as tribute to former Fulham star Papa Bouba Diop who died this week.
Five minutes later they were awarded a penalty after referee Simon Hooper went to the pitchside monitor to take a closer look at a Christian Fuchs tackle on Bobby Decordova- Reid.
He didn’t take long to point to the spot and Cavaleiro gave Schmeichel little chance with a thumping drive.
Barnes made it panic stations with his late goal but Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers said: “That’s disappointing. Fulham deserved to win. We made mistakes and they pounced.”
TRIBUTE TIME: Ademola Lookman raises his eyes to the heavens after scoring and holds up a Senegal shirt in honour of Papa Bouba Diop, who died on Sunday