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Premier League | Gameweek 19

Jan 3, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

King Power Stadium

Leicester
0 - 1
Fulham

Ndidi (61'), Castagne (74')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Mitrovic (17')
Adarabioyo (52'), Palhinha (60'), Cairney (62'), Tete (68'), Leno (90+6'), Mitrovic (78')

Aleksandar Mitrovic strike edges Fulham past Leicester City

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 03 January 2023

Aleksandar Mitrovic scores the only goal as Fulham secure a slender 1-0 win against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored the only goal to help Fulham secure a slender 1-0 win against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Serbian striker fired beyond Danny Ward in the 17th minute to help the Cottagers secure their third successive victory in the top flight.

Marco Silva's men have climbed up to seventh place as a result, sitting level on points with Liverpool in sixth, while they are only two points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth.

As for Leicester, Brendan Rodgers's side have lost all three games since the World Cup break and they remain in 13th place, just three points above the relegation zone having played a game more than the bottom three.

While Fulham made just one change to their starting lineup – Tosin Adarabioyo replacing Issa Diop at centre-back – Leicester opted for two changes to their first XI, with Youri Tielemans and Jamie Vardy coming into the side, but the Foxes were enforced to make a third as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall picked up an injury in the warm-up, with Wilfred Ndidi selected to start in his place.

Leicester's injury woes then worsened just seven minutes into the contest after midfielder Boubakary Soumare tweaked his hamstring and was forced to withdraw, with Marc Albrighton coming on as his replacement.

Fulham started the brighter of the two sides with Willian looking a threat down the left flank, and it was the Brazilian who set up the opening goal for Mitrovic, who tucked away his 11th Premier League goal of the season with aplomb.

Leicester City's Youri Tielemans in action with Fulham's Joao Palhinha on January 3, 2022 © Reuters

Willian was allowed to drive from his own half towards Leicester's backline before he curled a delightful lofted cross towards Mitrovic, who chested the ball down and struck a sweet left-footed strike beyond Ward to put the visitors in front.

Mitrovic's strike sees him become the first Fulham player to score in three consecutive Premier League away matches since Heidar Helguson back in February 2006.

Leicester grew into the game after the break following an underwhelming first-half showing, with Fulham offering little going forward as they opted to sit back and protect their narrow lead.

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno impressed between the sticks for the Cottagers and was called into action to deny decent efforts from Vardy, Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez.

Tielemans came agonisingly close to netting a stunning equaliser in the 80th minute when his looping volley from outside the area crashed off the crossbar.

Fulham eventually held on for the three points, although their victory was slightly tarnished by the booking awarded to Mitrovic, who will now miss the West London derby against Chelsea on January 12th.

However, Mitrovic will be in contention to face Hull City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, while Leicester will take on League Two outfit Gillingham in their next game on the same day.