Leicester City suffered their first defeat of the Premier League season at Craven Cottage, losing 2-1 in an uninspiring performance in the capital.
The Cottagers took the lead when Adama Traoré played a well-timed ball into the path of summer signing Emile Smith Rowe, whose finish was an intelligent one, dinking it over the oncoming Mads Hermansen.
Five minutes before the interval, Steve Cooper's side equalised through a thunderous Wout Faes header.
There was a lengthy VAR check to determine whether Jamie Vardy, who was in an offside position, was interfering with play. It was determined that the Leicester captain was onside, and the goal stood. It was level at the break.
In the second half, the home side controlled the vast majority of the game, constantly asking questions of the East Midlands side's defence.
Eventually, the pressure told when Niergian international Alex Iwobi squeezed a shot under Hermansen to put Marco Silva's team ahead with 20 minutes left to play.
Iwobi's goal proved to be the winner and gave the hosts all three points.
It was a tough afternoon for Leicester, but what did they learn from it?
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Losing the midfield battle
Consistent control in the middle of the pitch was a staple of Leicester City's dominance last season in the Championship.
More often than not, Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Winks had complete command of games and were constantly recycling possession to the more creative players in the team, allowing them to flourish.
Today, it would be fair to say that Fulham utterly overran the usually reliant midfield duo, and they could not do the job they did so well last season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would often drop deeper when this happened in the Championship, but Facundo Buonanotte does not offer that, and it appears the two are left to their own devices, even when they are struggling.
It was similar in the first half against Tottenham Hotspur. When the Foxes' opponents dominate possession of the ball, the two midfielders are not equipped to deal with it alone.
Oliver Skipp could be a useful option to combat this issue that Cooper's team appears to be suffering from. But would Skipp come in for Buonanotte when the Argentine teenager has impressed so much in his first couple of games of the season?
It is a conundrum for Cooper as he must consider the side's balance, especially since they are likely to spend most of the season on the back foot.
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Stephy Mavididi is deserving of a start
Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu' s partnership was a source of so much joy for fans at the King Power Stadium last season; we are yet to see the two start a game together this campaign as Cooper has opted to start Bobby De Cordova-Reid on the left-hand side.
Reid has not been terrible, but the Jamaican has not offered the same level of dynamism and unpredictability that Mavididi tends to offer his side. Reid has had two bites of the cherry; both times, he has not produced overly convincing performances.
The former Montpellier winger played just shy of 20 minutes against Fulham. Given that Leicester were frantically, and at times aimlessly, searching for an equaliser, he did not receive much of the ball., but he deserves more than a cameo run out.
The Foxes host the ever-dangerous Aston Villa next Saturday, and that may very well be the ideal time to give Mavidid his first Premier League start, as his flair could be the spark needed to inspire his side to better themselves.
His relationship with Vardy and Fatawu was vital in securing the Championship title last season, but it could be even more important in keeping his side in the League this season.
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Questionable substitutions from Cooper
Leicester struggled to generate any genuine momentum throughout the game in West London, partly due to Cooper's substitutions and their strange timings of them.
Jordan Ayew came on for De Cordova-Reid in the 60th minute but looked confused about his role in the side. He often drifted inside and occupied spaces usually reserved for Vardy. It would have been beneficial to bring Mavididi, who is aware of the system and can make an instant impact.
When Fulham re-took the lead with 20 minutes to go, Cooper went straight to his bench, bringing on Mavididi and Skipp in place of Vardy but, more surprisingly, Buonanotte.
The Brighton loanee looked like the Foxes' most creative player, creating three chances for his side. His off-the-ball work was also fantastic, doing the running for both himself and an ageing Jamie Vardy.
So, it was bemusing when Cooper took him off in place of Skipp, who really should have been introduced for Reid earlier on when Leicester were being dominated in the middle of the park.
Kasey McAteer also came on with five minutes to go, but he too, looked lost and unsure of his role.
One of Cooper's greatest strengths during his time at Nottingham Forest was his ability to adapt to in-game situations. But the Welshman got it all wrong at Craven Cottage, costing his side a valuable point.
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Defensive solidity will be key this season
Offensively, there was not much to get excited about for the 2016 Premier League winners, but defensively, there was a lot to like about this particular performance.
Despite conceding two goals, the triumvirate of Hermansen, Faes and Jannik Vestergaard seem to have an excellent understanding and will be vital in keeping Leicester in the division.
Fulham were getting the most of their joy down the wings, and Leicester's central defenders often had to bail out their fullbacks with last-ditch tackles and clearances.
Mads Hermansen had a splendid game, too. The 24-year-old keeper made a total of four saves in the game and, while the score was 1-1, kept his team in it for as long as he could. The command he has over his box is very impressive, given his age.
If Cooper can get the midfield and forwards playing at the same level his back three is, then there may very well be a chance of survival this season.
