Leeds United and Leicester City woke up this morning to find themselves in the bottom three of the Premier League after a remarkable weekend of action.
Sam Allardyce's first game in charge of the Whites saw a respectable, if unsurprising, defeat at Manchester City, which paved the way for others to take advantage. Nottingham Forest and Everton both took their chance on Monday night, Forest beating Southampton 4-3 at the City Ground, while Sean Dyche's men shocked European hopefuls Brighton with a 5-1 win at the Amex.
However Leicester City lost the chance to keep up with their rivals as they were well beaten by Fulham at Craven Cottage, The 5-3 final scoreline flattered the visitors somewhat, with Marco Silva's side 5-1 up at one stage, although the Foxes did also miss a penalty.
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The results mean Leeds and Leicester occupy the two places above the seemingly doomed Southampton with three games of the seasonr remaining. And while Foxes boss Dean Smith was please with his side's second-half response at Fulham, he knows they have to be better to escape the drop.
"We had a reaction in the second half, said Smith. "We got some chances, had two penalties, we've scored three goals. I think we've had more shots than Fulham today, but the first half is what's killed the game.
"I was certainly very worried in the first half. It got better in the second half. That's the first time I've seen a lack of fight with these players. I hope I don't see that again and I'm sure I won't.
"I can't talk for the players but what I saw on the training ground this week, I thought we would be ready for this game. But the game was never going to be a given, any game in the Premier League is tough.
"I believe there is (enough quality to survive). There are signs I had seen prior to the first half today that they're good enough. The first half certainly was a step backwards, the second half was a step forwards again. We have to make sure we put in a 90-minute performance next week."
Leicester now face an uphill struggle in their final three games against Liverpool, Newcastle and West Ham if they are to avoid dropping into the Sky Bet Championship for the first time since 2014.
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