EPL: Potter’s misery mounts as Fulham beat Chelsea after Felix red card | Football News

LONDON: Graham Potter pleaded with his chelsea players to ‘stick together’ after a shock 2-1 defeat at Fulham saw Blues striker Joao Felix sent off on his debut before a decisive blunder by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Potter’s troubled side suffered a seventh defeat in their last 10 games in all competitions after another stormy display.
Chelsea fell behind a goal from former winger Willian in the first half at Craven Cottage on Thursday.
Kalidou Koulibaly equalized after the break but Felix was sent off for a careless lunge over Kenny Tete.
Fulham were handed their late winner by Chelsea keeper Kepa, who made a hash to handle a cross which Carlos Vinicius converted to leave Potter facing further sacking talks just four months after replacing the axe. Thomas Tuché.

“That sums up where we are right now. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong,” Potter said.
“I was disappointed with the goals. We can do better than that. That’s what cost us.
“It’s a difficult moment. We’re upset. I feel for the fans and I feel for the players.”
This week, Potter called managing Chelsea “the toughest job in football” after a turbulent period that strained owner Todd Boehly’s faith in the former Brighton boss.
Chelsea languish in 10th place – 10 points behind the top four – after their miserable run stretched to a win in their last nine league games.

They have scored just four goals in their last eight games in all competitions and Potter is desperate for a win against Crystal Palace on Sunday to give himself at least some breathing space.
“We have to keep working. There is no other way. You have to keep working, stick together and try to get the three points,” Potter said.
Hampered by a list of debilitating injuries, Potter held a meeting with senior players Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic on Tuesday to try to calm the crisis.
But Chelsea fans’ patience is already running out and losing to sixth-place neighbors Fulham was another blow to their hopes of avoiding sacking.
It was in keeping with Potter’s misfortune that Felix’s promising debut ended prematurely following his loan spell from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
“It was a forward tackle. There was no malice involved but I understand why it was a red. It’s another shot. The shots keep coming right now,” Potter said.
Felix, 23, who cost Chelsea an €11m ($12m) loan fee, was one of four changes from the 4-0 FA Cup loss to Manchester City last weekend.
Cleared to run through Chelsea’s three-man attack, Felix’s pass found Kai Havertz and when the German’s shot was blocked he gave the rebound to Lewis Hall, whose low drive was saved by Bernd Leno .
Spotted by Mateo Kovacic, Felix fired wide from the edge of the box and then volleyed after Azpilicueta’s cross found him unmarked 10 yards from goal.
But Potter had to complain about a terrible defense when Fulham took the lead in the 25th minute.
Hall gave up possession and Chalobah failed to clear properly before Willian unleashed a powerful drive that deflected Trevoh Chalobah as he went past the Kepa on the wrong foot.
Potter looked ashen-faced on the bench as Fulham fans taunted him, chanting ‘Stamford Bridge is falling apart’ and ‘you’re getting fired in the morning’.
Chelsea were level two minutes after half-time when Mason Mount’s free-kick hit the post and bounced off Koulibaly, who stabbed just over the line before Leno could save.
But even then, Potter’s luck didn’t last as Felix saw red after needlessly throwing himself into a high tackle that crashed into Tete’s shin.
There was an even more ignominious contribution to Chelsea’s downing of Kepa in the 73rd minute.
Kepa completely misjudged Andreas Pereira’s cross volley, allowing it to fly over his head towards Vinicius, who nodded into the empty net as Chelsea defender Thiago Silva shouted at the hapless keeper.