Leicester City boss Dean Smith bemoans disappointing 5-3 loss to Fulham

Leicester City interim manager Dean Smith acknowledged that his side did not live up to expectations in their 5-3 loss to Fulham today.

Smith said the loss was disappointing as they flirt dangerously with relegation. They are 18th in the Premier League following Everton’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Cottagers raced into the lead early on. A free-kick from Willian went over everyone and bounced beyond Leicester goalkeeper Daniel Iversen.

Another Brazilian, Carlos Vinicius, took a simple pass before slotting the ball into the net to double the lead. Tom Cairney scored a brace to double his Premier League tally.

Leicester tried to fight back through Harvey Barnes and James Maddison, but it was too little too late. Club legend Jamie Vardy missed a penalty.

Willian put a gloss on proceedings with another fine long-distance strike in the 70th minute.

Smith was unhappy about his side’s showing and could not hide his disappointment. He believes his side was not aggressive enough in their approach.

He said (via Leicester’s official website): “I am really, really disappointed with how we started the game. We set our stall out all wrong.

“We weren’t quick enough to get out to the ball and we weren’t aggressive enough, giving away a couple of needless free-kicks.

“The first goal killed us a little bit really, and we started feeling sorry for ourselves.

“We did create some chances as well in the first half, but the first-half performance for me sets the tone at the end of the day and we have to be much better than that.

“With the exception of the fifth goal from Willian, when he cuts inside – it’s a great finish and he can do that to any team – the first goal we should save.

“The second goal, they turn the ball over and break too easily through the heart of us. The third goal, same again.

“And the centre midfielder walks through and scores (for the fourth). That can’t happen. It was too similar to the Everton game.

“We spoke about being harder to beat, but the goals we gave away and the chances we gave away in the first half, there was a gulf between the teams.”

However, Smith took some positives from the fact that they fought for their pride after the break even though it was ultimately not enough.

Leicester must now reconvene with four games left to save their season. They welcome in-form Liverpool to the King Power Stadium next Monday.