The 2022-23 Premier League season witnessed two contrasting encounters between Leicester City and Fulham.  While both matches resulted in Fulham victories, the narratives surrounding them differed greatly. 

This article delves into these clashes, exploring the key moments, tactics employed, and lingering questions that have fans searching for highlights on YouTube.

A Clinical Fulham Downs Leicester City at the King Power (January 3rd, 2023)

The opening encounter of the season between the two sides took place on a chilly January 3rd at the King Power Stadium. Leicester City, under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers, were expected to claim victory against a newly promoted Fulham side.

 However, the Cottagers, led by Marco Silva, had other plans.

Fulham surprised everyone with their attacking intent from the outset.  Aleksandar Mitrović, a proven goalscorer in the Championship, caused Leicester’s center-backs constant problems with his aerial prowess and hold-up play. 

A tactical shift to a 3-4-3 formation by Silva provided width on the flanks, with Kenny Tete and Ademola Lookman exploiting the space behind Leicester’s full-backs.

The opening goal arrived in the 27th minute. A well-worked Fulham move culminated in a cross from Tete that found Mitrović unmarked in the box. The Serbian striker made no mistake, powering a header past Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester goal.

Leicester responded by dominating possession but lacked the cutting edge to break down Fulham’s resolute defense. Jamie Vardy, Leicester’s talismanic striker, was largely anonymous, well marshaled by Fulham’s central defensive pairing of Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo.

The second half mirrored the first, with Fulham frustrating Leicester’s attacking forays. The Cottagers then doubled their lead in the 77th minute through a moment of individual brilliance. 

 Lookman, known for his pace and dribbling ability, cut inside from the left flank and unleashed a powerful shot that left Schmeichel with no chance.

Leicester threw on attacking substitutions in a desperate search for a goal, but the Fulham backline held firm. The final whistle confirmed a surprising yet well-deserved 2-0 victory for the newly promoted side.

Talking Points from the King Power Stadium Clash:

Fulham’s Tactical Masterclass:  Marco Silva’s decision to deploy a 3-4-3 formation with wing-backs effectively countered Leicester’s attacking threat and exploited their defensive weaknesses.

Mitrović’s Dominance:  Aleksandar Mitrović’s aerial presence and clinical finishing proved to be a nightmare for Leicester’s defense.

Leicester’s Lack of Creativity:  Despite controlling possession, Leicester struggled to create clear-cut chances due to a lack of creativity in midfield.

A High-Scoring Thriller at Craven Cottage (May 8th, 2023)

The second meeting of the season, played at Craven Cottage in May, was a far more entertaining affair.  Both teams adopted attacking approaches, resulting in a thrilling 5-3 victory for Fulham.

The Cottagers took the lead in controversial fashion in the 10th minute. A mishandled cross by Leicester goalkeeper Daniel Iversen fell to Willian, who bundled the ball into the net from close range.  Replays showed a potential handball in the build-up, but the goal stood.

Leicester responded positively, equalizing ten minutes later through a penalty converted by James Maddison after a foul on Jamie Vardy in the box. The game continued in a see-saw fashion, with both teams exchanging blows.

Fulham regained the lead in the 32nd minute courtesy of a clinical finish from Vinicius. The Brazilian forward latched onto a loose ball in the Leicester penalty area and slotted it past Iversen.

The first half ended with Fulham leading 3-1 after a penalty converted by Harry Wilson following a foul by Wilfred Ndidi on Kenny Tete.

The second half continued in the same vein, with both teams trading goals. Leicester pulled two goals back through a second penalty from Maddison and a close-range finish from Jamie Vardy. However, Fulham ultimately secured the win through a late goal from Tom Cairney.

Talking Points from Craven Cottage:

A Goal-Scoring Bonanza:  The 8-goal thriller was a rare occurrence in the Premier League and a treat for neutral fans.

Iversen’s Struggles: Leicester City’s backup goalkeeper, Daniel Iversen, endured a difficult game, with some questioning his positioning and decision-making for Fulham’s first two goals.

Maddison’s Creativity:  James Maddison showcased his playmaking abilities with two well-taken penalties.

 FAQs

Match History

Q: When did Leicester City last play Fulham?

A: Leicester City last played Fulham on May 8th, 2023, in the Premier League.

Q: What was the score in the most recent Leicester City vs Fulham match?

A: Fulham won the most recent match 5-3.

Q: How many times have Leicester City and Fulham played each other in the Premier League?

A: Assuming the 2022-23 season was their first in the Premier League together, they would have played twice.

Head-to-Head

Q: Who has the better head-to-head record, Leicester City or Fulham?

A: Based on the 2022-23 season, Fulham has the upper hand with two wins against Leicester City. However, this is a very small sample size, and historically, Leicester City might have the better record.

Q: Has Leicester City ever beaten Fulham?

A: There is a chance Leicester City beat Fulham in cup competitions before the 2022-23 season, but in the Premier League played that season, Fulham won both encounters.

The January 3rd Match (King Power Stadium)

Q: What was the final score in the Leicester City vs Fulham match played in January 2023?

A: Fulham won the match 2-0.

Q: Who scored for Fulham against Leicester City in January?

A: Aleksandar Mitrović and Ademola Lookman scored the goals for Fulham.

Q: Why did Leicester City lose to Fulham in January?

A: Several factors contributed to the loss, including Fulham’s effective 3-4-3 formation, Mitrović’s dominance in the air, and Leicester’s lack of creativity in midfield.

The May 8th Match (Craven Cottage)

Q: What was the score in the Leicester City vs Fulham match played in May 2023?

A: Fulham won the match 5-3.

Q: What were some of the talking points from the high-scoring May match?

A: The 8 goals scored, Leicester’s goalkeeping errors, James Maddison’s penalty goals, and the overall entertaining and open nature of the match were all hot topics.

Looking Forward

Q: When will Leicester City play Fulham next?

A: The 2023-24 Premier League fixture list has not been released yet, so the next Leicester City vs Fulham match date is unknown.

Will these matches be high-scoring again?

A: It’s impossible to say for sure. Both teams have attacking threats, but the tactics and form on the day will determine the goal count.

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