EPL: Fulham Hit Leicester Hard To Dent Survival Hopes

Leicester City's Premier League survival hopes took a hit on Monday night as they suffered a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Fulham which took them back into the relegation zone.

The game at Craven Cottage got off to a poor start for Leicester as Willian's free-kick was allowed to sail beyond everyone and into the back of the net just 10 minutes in.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Carlos Vinicius was given acres of space to run in behind the Leicester defence and fire home Fulham's second goal from Harry Wilson's pass. Tom Cairney then scored twice on either side of halftime to make it 4-0 for the Cottagers.

Leicester's defense had been their Achilles heel all season and it was once again exposed by the home team. However, they showed some fighting spirit and were able to score three goals in the second half to make the scoreline look more respectable.

Harvey Barnes fired home from James Maddison's pass and Leicester could have been back in the game but Jamie Vardy's penalty was saved by Bernd Leno. Fulham then went up the other end to make it 5-1 as Willian smashed home another strike from outside the box.

Maddison, who had seen a penalty saved in a 2-2 draw with Everton last week, found the net when he took back responsibility from Vardy for Leicester's second penalty of the afternoon. Barnes then pounced to make it 5-3 after a calamitous defensive mix-up between Shane Duffy and Leno.

Leicester's chances of survival are now in doubt as they sit outside the relegation zone only on goal difference. They could end the day in the bottom three should Everton win at Brighton and Nottingham Forest pick up at least a point at home to Southampton.

Dean Smith's men also face a tough run-in with Champions League-chasing Liverpool and Newcastle to come before ending the season at home to West Ham.

With only Leeds and Bournemouth having conceded more goals than Leicester in the Premier League, they will need to shore up their defence quickly if they are to avoid the drop.