After a midweek loss at West Ham United, which ended an eight-game unbeaten run in the league, the visitors stayed composed here as second-half goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore proved enough to seal a crucial victory for the Cottagers.

The hosts had the better of a lacklustre first half at King Power Stadium, but failed to press home their advantage and were punished after the break, with Smith Rowe bravely heading home early on in the second period.

Fulham once again showed its clinical edge as Traore volleyed home from close range in the 68th minute to end Leicester's chances of a revival.

A seventh successive Premier League defeat keeps Leicester inside the relegation zone, in 19th place on the table and two points from safety, as Fulham moved up to ninth.

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who won and drew his first two matches after replacing Steve Cooper in November, understood the fans' frustration as they made their feelings known from the stands.

"You have to accept it, and I am," Van Nistelrooy said. "I'm making substitutions to impact the game. It can be in different areas; physical, profile of a player, the opposition.

"When it's not received well, for once now, then I'll take that one. Because the crowd boo one substitution of me, it doesn't mean I have to explain all the reasons behind the substitution.

"It's not for the public to know. It's respect to the players who come on. They are valuable members of the squad and deserve minutes to help this team as well. It's not about one person in this team and in this squad. That, for me, is very clear."

In the Premier League, Leicester has scored just seven goals under Van Nistelrooy – they netted just one less in its 6-2 FA Cup third-round win over Queens Park Rangers.

"[It] was extremely disappointing because it wasn't good enough in all aspects of the game," Van Nistelrooy said.

"I saw more [in the 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Thursday AEDT] than today. Of course, results hurt and are disappointing, but there was a lot more [on Saturday] because we lacked in too many areas that influence on winning a football match.

"We have to deal with it. We cannot change it. We have to face it. Don't feel sorry for anybody. We are professionals, and we have to deal with it.

"We have to make sure that we perform, so the crowd is up and supportive. That's our task."