The Tanner Report: Leicester City 1 Fulham 2

This was a win we – the team, owner, fans and above all Scott Parker – needed and entirely Fulhamish (the old Craven Cottage telegram address).

We were at the start of a cycle of Leicester away, Manchester City and Liverpool at home that could easily yield no points and see the whites cast adrift in the relegation zone.

I had a good feeling about this match so when Pargie called to say he was thinking of backing against The Foxes at 1-2, pointing out they had lost at home to Aston Villa and West Ham,  I did not dissuade him.

I was especially pleased that Andre Frank Anguissa was starting.

He is such a dynamic ball carrier.

Scott Parker and his team had clearly worked diligently on his set up leaving Alex Mitrovic and skipper Tom Cairney on the bench.

However his back four of Aina, Andersen, Adarabaiyo, Robinson are pretty much permanent.

Things got off to a bad start with Leicester’s Tieleman’s clever shot hitting the post and Fofana from the rebound hitting the bar.

However it was Fulham who took the lead. After a driving run from Anguissa, the midfielder released the ball to Ademola Lookman who opened up his body to slot the ball home.

The real drama was soon to come.

Long after the incident of a challenge on Bobby DeCordova-Reid in the box, the VAR team urged ref Simon Hughes to review the challenge on the monitor and he awarded a penalty.

Fulham missed their last 3 penalties.

Ivan Cavalleiro stepped up to the plate and whacked the ball into the corner. 2-0. Leicester pulled one back and we had to endure an uncomfortable 10 minutes but held out.

It was also fitting tribute to Papa Bouba Diop who died aged 42.

The Wardrobe, as he was called because he was a big unit, played 3 seasons for Fulham and is best remembered for a late equaliser against Manchester United.

I watched the game on SKY.

The first 15 minutes of preview was taken up by Gary Neville blaming the PFA, FA, Premier League and EFL for not having an diversity programme which would have curbed Cavani’s unfortunate comment.

Neville frequently quotes Alex Ferguson. Imagine his face if this happened on his watch.  To me the player must accept responsibility and the club’s Director of Communications should be involved.

I’m sure I am not alone in preferring to hear these two analysts actually analysing both teams: where Fulham have gone wrong and whether they have put it right, the strengths and weaknesses of Leicester, the tactics both teams will employ, the impact of no fans.

I enjoy seeing Scott in interview.

He likes his four-syllable words ending in “ty” so here are a couple to describe his qualities:

“Intensity and humility”: I  would add “honesty” except that it’s three syllables!

Manchester City and Liverpool: bring them on.