Smith Rowe's first for Whites sets Fulham up for victory over Foxes

Fulham (1) 2 Smith Rowe 17, Iwobi 70

Leicester City (1) 1 Faes 39

Some of the grit may have left that Fulham midfielder but the graft is still there in the shape of Emile Smith Rowe - with a little finesse thrown in for good measure.

The ex-Arsenal man may not emulate those thunderous, juddering tackles that were Joao Palhinha's stock in trade , but we all know he has other special qualities.

It did not take him long to make the point on his home debut following the summer move from north London. Drifting into space on the left, he was picked out by Adama Traore and after riding a challenge, glided goalwards before finishing smartly past Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen.

That goal was the least Fulham deserved for a sparkling overture on this soggy August afternoon. They almost shipped an early goal to their old mate Bobby Decordova-Reid - whose drive from distance tested Bwernd Leno - but it was otherwise all Fulham.

Traore nearly scored before setting up Smith Rowe for the goal and Rodrigo Muniz came agonisingly close to adding a second goal with a header which flashed inches past an upright.

Fulham's impressive start was not maintained though. They took their collective foot off the gas just a shade and paid the price. The Foxes won themselves a corner and Wout Faes headed in the flag kick from Facundo Buonanotte - the away fans having to endure a VAR offside check before being able to celebrate.

Faes almost undid his good work at the start of the second half with a suicidal backheel that was easily picked off by Traore. His cross was swept over the bar by Muniz, who really ought to have put the chance away. The striker has an eye for the spectacular though and a flashing scissor-kick almost gave the Hammy End an unforgettable moment.

But the goal with which they took the lead for a second time was uncomplicated. A lovely first-time flick from Antonee Robinson released Iwobi down the left and he strode on before firing past Hermansen - the keeper getting a leg to the shot but unable to stop the ball looping past him.

Marco Silva picked up a yellow card from ref Darren Bond late on for a bit of over-zealous remonstrating, but he will be content overall with this first win of the season - even if there remains room for considerable improvement.

For Smith Rowe as well, there will be satisfaction at bedding in to his new surroundings with a significant goal - Fulham's first of the season. He was given an appreciative send off by home fans when he was subbed off midway through the second half.

Whites: (4-2-3-1) Leno - Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson - Pereira (Reed 86), Lukic - Traore (Cairney 69), Smith Rowe (Wilson 69), Iwobi - Muniz (Jimenez 80)

Foxes: (4-2-3-1), Hermansen - Justin, Vestergaard, Faes, Kristensen (McAteer 85) - Winks, Ndidi - Fatawu, Buonanotte (Skipp 71), Decordova-Reid (Ayew 63) - Vardy (Mavididi 71)

Attendance: 25,401