Joao Felix endured a lively but uneventful start to life as a Chelsea player as he was sent off on debut before his side lost to Fulham at Craven Cottage to continue its mediocre run.
Chelsea’s newest acquisition was arguably his side’s best player until seeing a red for a rash challenge in the 58th minute with the two sides level at 1-1. Fulham scored their second after his dismissal to secure the 2-1 win.
Despite only completing his move 24 hours prior, Felix was named in the starting lineup by Graham Potter.
Within two minutes, he created a golden chance after breezing past Tim Ream and picking out Kai Havertz, whose low shot was blocked. Felix had three chances himself in the first half to open the scoring but could not find the net despite his best efforts.
To rub salt into Chelsea’s wounds, it was the former Blues man Willian who gave Fulham the lead after Trevoh Chalobah’s failed clearance fell into the Brazilian’s path and his deflected shot ended up in the back of the net.
Kalidou Koulibaly drew his side level after the break after Mason Mount’s effort hit the woodwork before falling to the defender who managed to breach the goal line.
Just as Chelsea was beginning to push Fulham back Felix slid into Kenny Tete’s ankles with raised boots and was sent off for his troubles. 15 minutes later Andreas Pereira’s pinpoint cross was nodded in by Carlos Vinicius.
Chelsea threatened little the rest of the way as their lean run continued.
The win was Fulham’s fourth in a row in the top flight and their first since 1966 which takes Marco Silva’s side above Liverpool into the top six with 31 points. Chelsea remains 10th with 25 points.
