The promotion-chasing Foxes showed they were more than a match for Premier League opposition, although considering the Cottagers’ struggles in the top flight it was difficult to describe the result as a shock.

Just eight league places separate the two sides with Leicester second in the Championship and they showed the character to bounce back from an 85th-minute equaliser – having led 3-1 – to snatch a 4-3 victory.

Hugo Rodallega’s second goal of the season two months after his first, also in this competition, had put the visitors ahead only for the home side strike twice late on in the first half.

Fulham contributed significantly to their own downfall as individual errors led to both goals.

First goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s fumbled long-range free-kick presented captain Wes Morgan with a simple close-range tap-in.

Less than five minutes later Philippe Senderos, who was the only outfield survivor from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Southampton, hacked a clearance into Paul Konchesky and Chris Wood gratefully accepted the rebound.

Leicester made it three goals in 12 minutes either side of half-time when Ignasi Miquel headed in only for Rodallega to immediately go down the other end and pull one back.

When Giorgos Karagounis smashed home a free-kick with five minutes remaining Leicester should have been crushed but they picked themselves up and Dyer delivered the knockout blow.