Fulham 2 Leicester 1: Former Arsenal stars Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi combine to get Cottagers off the mark

MARCO SILVA believes Craven Cottage must become Fulham’s fortress for Premier League survival.

But it needed a winner from Alex Iwobi 20 minutes from time to give them a first home win since March.

PAFulham were head over heels with delight after beating Leicester[/caption]

ReutersEmile Smith Rowe grabbed his first goal for his new club[/caption]

RexSmith Rowe wheeled away in delight on his home debut[/caption]

GettyAlex Iwobi raced away from Harry Winks to score the winner[/caption]

Prior to that, they took the lead through new man Emile Smith Rowe’s first goal for the club only to be pegged back at a set-piece.

Fulham are still taking shape for a fresh campaign with Silva chasing one more forward player at least before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Recent arrivals Sander Berge and Joachim Andersen will be available from now on.

And with home games against West Ham and Newcastle to come, there is a realistic chance of picking up some more points and boosting confidence at home before any of the biggest boys arrive.

Smith Rowe was delighted to put his new team ahead on 18 minutes when he raced on to a through ball from Adama Traore before slotting the ball past Mads Hermansen.

For just moments earlier, he had been an agonising few inches away from turning home a low centre from Andreas Perreira as Fulham made all the early running.

Smith Rowe’s goal is his first at senior level since April 2022 in a 4-2 win for former club Arsenal over Chelsea.

But missing that chance ended up costing Fulham dearly when they switched off at a corner and City equalised via the sheer brute force of defender Wout Faes.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

The big Belgian powered home a header and ref Darren Bond signalled for a goal only for his assistant to flag that City striker Jamie Vardy was offside.

After a VAR check, Bond reiterated his on-field decision and in keeping with new rules on respecting the referee’s call the goal stood.

But it was about as much as Leicester offered in an attacking sense.

They have signed striker Jordan Ayew to help ease the pressure on 37-year-old veteran Jamie Vardy, who scored against Tottenham last Monday.

But Ayew is only five years younger himself and with more than 400 club games and 104 caps for Ghana under his belt, does not offer the youthful energy boss Steve Cooper will need.

A long-range shot from recently departed Fulham winger Bobby De Cordova-Reid in the second half was about their only effort following the equaliser.

Fulham meanwhile went close through striker Rodrigo Muniz when he headed just wide from an Antonee Robinson cross in the first half.

The Brazilian should have done much better and finished the job early in the second half when a cock-up by Faes offered up a cracking chance to score from close range only for him to blast over the bar.

Fulham went on to clinch victory in the 70th minute and kick start their season through Iwobi from a rapid counter attack.

Robinson’s quick thinking saw him flick a pass out from the back on to the winger and Iwobi stretched clear before crashing home the winner off the outstretched knee of Hermansen to take all three points.

GettyIwobi danced into the evening sunset with the decisive goal[/caption]

PAWout Faes’ header was allowed to stand even though Jamie Vardy was standing in an offside position[/caption]

ReutersMarco Silva and the Fulham fans gave Bobby Decordova-Reid a fine reception on his return[/caption]

ReutersSteve Cooper is still looking for his first win as Leicester boss[/caption]

Joachim Andersen was introduced to the home crowd following his arrival from Crystal PalaceGetty