Emile Smith-Rowe has indicated he could be the man to take Fulham to the next level this season after scoring a stunning goal on his home debut to help his side to a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

The former Arsenal man, who made his Premier League debut at Craven Cottage after moving to London for £34million this summer, gave Fulham a deserved lead in the 18th minute when he took a through ball from Adama Traore and darted into the penalty area to fire the ball past goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

And another former Arsenal player, Alex Iwobi, scored a magnificent solo goal in the second half to give Marco Silva’s team the victory after Leicester had levelled in controversial circumstances through Wout Faes.

As in Leicester’s first half against Spurs, the newly promoted side came under intense pressure. Adama Traore, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz all tested Hermansen, although Foxes forward and former Fulham player Bobby De Cordova Reid forced Bernd Leno into a dive after his long-range shot.

But Smith-Rowe made good on Fulham’s early dominance with a stunning run and finish. It has been a frustrating past year for the 24-year-old, who has struggled for game time under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, but has shown why Silva was so keen to bring him to the club.

Alex Iwobi scored the winning goal as Fulham secured their first win of the season

Emile Smith Rowe scored his first Fulham goal to put Fulham ahead early

Smith Rowe finished the game after Adama Traore had played him through on goal

Wout Faes (right) levelled the score for Leicester in the closing stages of the first half

However, the home side had to pay for the missed chances when Faes headed in the equaliser after Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz himself headed a cross from Antonee Robinson just wide.

Faes’ header from a Facundo Buonanotte corner was initially disallowed for offside by Jamie Vardy. He was suspected of blocking the view of goalkeeper Bernd Leno while in an offside position. After a lengthy VAR check, during which referee Darren Bond went to the monitor, the decision was eventually overturned and the goal stood.

But after Muniz missed another great chance, firing a shot over the bar as goalscorer Faes passed the ball to Traore to pick out his team-mate, Iwobi saved Fulham from the same fate Spurs suffered against Leicester by scoring the winning goal in the 70th minute.

A beautiful pass from defender Robinson saw the 28-year-old advance on goal from the left. The ball was deflected by keeper Hermansen, giving his team a deserved victory.