(Football news) Chelsea succumbed to yet another defeat, this time to local rivals Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League at Craven Cottage in a fixture that saw debutant Joao Felix get sent off in the 58th minute. Former Chelsea player Willian gave Fulham the lead in the 25th minute through a deflected shot and the hosts also saw a penalty appeal denied. It was clear that Chelsea’s defence were lacking confidence at the moment but the Blues managed to equalise in the 47th minute through Kalidou Koulibaly after Mason Mount’s freekick hit the post.

Graham Potter undoubtedly hoped that the equaliser could propel Chelsea to secure a much needed comeback victory but that was not the case as Carlos Vinicius scored the winner in the 73rd minute, thereby ending his 10 month goal drought with a towering header. One of the talking points of the match was Chelsea’s new signing Joao Felix getting a red card on his debut.

It was surprising to see the 23 year old featuring in the starting lineup, just 24 hours after his move was confirmed and was sent off for a studs up challenge on Kenny Tete in the 57th minute. This means that the forward will be suspended for the next three games out of the 20 remaining in the Premier League and problems seem to be mounting for Graham Potter.

Chelsea now have only six points from their last nine Premier League games, their worst run since 1996 while Fulham secured their fourth win from 53 top-flight matches against Chelsea, their last one coming in a 1-0 victory over the Blues in 1996.

The Cottagers can possibly qualify for Europe based on current form while Chelsea are 10 points behind fourth place Manchester United who have a game in hand. Graham Potter made four changes to the side that lost to Manchester City with Joao Felix, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Denis Zakaria featuring in the starting lineup.

“It’s really frustrating, incredibly challenging. I feel for the supporters. We’re disappointed to lose tonight. I felt it was a relatively even game in the first half, we had a couple of chances. But I think the basics we can do a little bit better, in terms of our defending and football actions. We get back in the game and the red card is where we’re at at the moment, in terms of things that can happen to us [do happen to us].

“To lose Joao for three matches is really disappointing. Joao is a young player, a top player, you can see his quality and there wasn’t any malice [in the tackle] but the ref has a decision to make. He’ll learn from it. More than anything fantastic from the opponent it was more our basic actions where we have to do better. We are suffering at the moment. We’re suffering, the fans are suffering. We feel for them. It’s important to stick together and try to get through this tough period.” – Chelsea manager Graham Potter

“It was a great night for our fans, after 16 years they deserve it. Chelsea are a massive club, their budget is completely different, we can’t compare anything but with our work, strategy, identity we could do it and we did it. For our football fans it’s special. I felt it after the final whistle in that moment, the way they celebrated with our players. A really important moment.

“Another three points for us – and I know in the Premier League all the points are really tough to get. It’s been a fantastic season so far for us, but we know we’re just in the middle of the season. I still see a big room to improve. This is one of the positives I take from the game. We won the game, but there is big room to improve and we’ll keep working hard with our players.” – Fulham boss Marco Silva

Also read: Here’s why Joao Felix is not exactly the player Chelsea need