For once Jamie Vardy’s absence made no difference. This was a game defined by James Maddison, whose cockiness and eye for a killer pass ensured Leicester remembered how to win without their main goalscorer. Fulham could not live with Maddison, who was at the heart of an improved Leicester performance, producing two bewitching assists to settle the game before half-time and strengthen the visitors’ position in the top four.
It was a wonderfully imaginative performance from the 24-year-old midfielder who thrived on the responsibility of stepping up with Vardy injured, shaping the contest in his image by creating goals for Kelechi Iheanacho and James Justin. There was no way of containing Maddison, even though Harrison Reed tried to rattle him with a thumping challenge in the first half. No bother: Maddison simply got back to work, allowing his class to do the talking.
Not that the positives for Brendan Rodgers ended with Maddison, who has six goals and six assists in his last 12 appearances. Youri Tielemans was outstanding in midfield, excelling alongside Hamza Choudhury, who impressed after seeing a move to Newcastle fall through on Monday. Justin was superb again at left-back, breaking forward to polish off a flowing team move.
Rodgers’ side had floundered of late, picking up one point from their previous two games but they were far too strong for Fulham, who remain in 18th place.
There is something sad about watching Fulham, an engaging team with a smart manager and a lot of likable players. They are a cohesive unit under Scott Parker and there were times when they looked to be Leicester’s equals. But their weaknesses are too easy to identify. Their problems stem from a lack of decisiveness in both boxes and it was hard not to wonder if Fulham would be more effective if they had a more mobile striker than Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The frustration was that Fulham, who need Josh Maja to fire after arriving on loan from Bordeaux, made a promising start. Antonee Robinson raided from left wing-back and Ademola Lookman’s footwork was joyful. Yet the moment that summed Fulham up came with the game still goalless; a gorgeous combination between Lookman and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa deserved better than a heavy-legged finish from Mitrovic. “The key moments were in both boxes,” Parker said. “There is one clear objective and that’s to win games.”
Although Leicester were without Vardy, who is recovering from a hernia operation, the visitors were improved after losing to Leeds. Rodgers made changes to spark his attack, where Iheanacho’s return through the middle allowed Ayoze Pérez to drop to the right and combine with Maddison, who was a delight in the No 10 role.
Maddison was by far the best player on the pitch, demonstrating again he has risen to new heights. He had Leicester’s first effort, a powerful drive that stung Alphonse Areola’s palms, and he created their first proper opportunity, carving Fulham open with a sublime backheel to Ricardo Pereira on the right. The chutzpah took the breath away; it was just a shame Harvey Barnes fired over.
Maddison was undeterred, demanding the ball again in the 17th minute, pulling to the right to create. Fulham stood off the midfielder, who made them pay with a fizzing cross that demanded an emphatic finish. Iheanacho obliged, darting away from his markers to head home his first league goal of the season.
It was a timely strike from Iheanacho, who had a penalty saved in his side’s recent draw with Crystal Palace. Leicester grew in confidence and a second goal duly arrived before half-time, although not before Kasper Schmeichel had denied Tosin Adarabioyo an equaliser. It was a pivotal save from Schmeichel: moments later Maddison was dancing into space before releasing Justin, who skipped round Arela before tapping home. “We scored two goals of great quality,” Rodgers said.
The game was over as a contest, even though Ivan Cavaleiro went close for Fulham after replacing Kenny Tete at half-time. Leicester cruised. They had two goals disallowed for offside during a quiet second half and although Fulham kept trying, they have not won since beating Leicester on 30 November.
