Ivan Cavaleiro: Fulham boss Scott Parker had a perfect game plan at Leicester

BY MATT VERRI

Ivan Cavaleiro hailed Scott Parker and the coaching staff for putting in place the blueprint for Fulham’s impressive 2-1 victory away at Leicester City.

The former Wolves man scored from the spot to double Fulham’s lead after Ademola Lookman had netted the opener.

But while the pair threatened on the counter throughout, it was an away performance built on solid defensive foundations.

“Credit to the coaches, the game plan was perfect,” Cavaleiro told Fulham TV. “Winning away against Leicester is not easy, but we wanted the three points and it’s a very good win for us. It feels good – the team played very well.

“We need to keep together, and of course we have tough games coming against City and Liverpool. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll stick together and see what happens.”

Fulham had missed their last three penalties, including last week against Everton when Cavaleiro slipped as he took the spot-kick. But the Portuguese attacker was able to put that disappointment behind him in emphatic fashion.

“I didn’t feel pressure, because I think misses happen in football,” Cavaleiro said. “The manager gave me the confidence to take it.”

Lookman has himself suffered problems from the spot, his failed attempt at a ‘Panenka’ in the last-minute away at West Ham costing his side a crucial point.

But the 23-year-old was happy to see his team-mate convert this time, and credited Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for setting him up to get on the scoresheet after half an hour.

“It was a great penalty from Cav,” Lookman said. “Everyone has been practicing them but that’s normal, we’ll continue to practice and everyone will be ready.

“Frank made a lovely run for the goal, with pace and power – I got on the end of the pass and managed to put it away.”

And Lookman praised the spirit of the visitors, who had to withstand a nervy finish when Harvey Barnes halved the deficit with five minutes to go.

“I spoke before the game about us having confidence in ourselves, and I think that showed,” he said.

“We definitely had that confidence, we all worked for each other, we all had each other’s backs and that’s why we got the three points.

“As you saw the last couple of minutes we had to defend well, and we’re happy with the win.

“The gaffer spoke about always believing and always fighting – that’s our mindset and attitude, and it showed on Monday.”

Fulham head to Manchester City on Sunday (3pm)