Joao Felix shown red card for nasty challenge on Chelsea debut against Fulham as Premier League career begins in disaster
- Score was 1-1
- Felix shown straight card on hour mark
- Vinicius then made it 2-1 to hosts
WHAT HAPPENED?: Kenny Tete was on the receiving end of a high challenge from the loanee, who started the game despite only signing from Atletico Madrid a day earlier. Chelsea had pulled one back through Kalidou Koulibaly just after the break following Willian's first-half opener against his former club, before Felix signed his debut off in disastrous fashion, leaving his new side in trouble.
That's a horror tackle 😳
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 12, 2023
João Félix is shown a straight red on his Chelsea debut... pic.twitter.com/jn3MKtoHwn
Joao Felix sees RED in his Chelsea debut. 🔴
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 12, 2023
📺: @peacock #MyPLMorning | #FULCHE pic.twitter.com/xpI6mugqm7
THE BIGGER PICTURE: It didn't take the home side long to utilise the man advantage, as Carlos Vinicius scored his first goal for Fulham on 73 minutes to put his team back in front. As if the result wasn't bad enough for Graham Potter and Chelsea, Felix's straight red card means he will be forced to miss the Blues' next three matches. Add to that the injury woes of Denis Zakaria just minutes before the Portuguese's dismissal, and the Blues' squad looks threadbare, with nine first-team players already out injured.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA? Potter will do his best to ignore mounting pressure when he leads them out at home against Crystal Palace on Sunday, with their faint top four hopes in deep trouble.