Joao Felix: Why was Chelsea star sent off on debut vs Fulham? | OneFootball

Overall, Joao Felix‘s debut for Chelsea Football Club was certainly not one to remember.

In the first half against Fulham on Thursday evening, the Portuguese forward was actually one of the Blues’ few bright sparks.

Felix nearly created an early goal for Kai Havertz, while he was also responsible for getting two Fulham players (Antonee Robinson and Andreas Pereira) booked in the opening 45 minutes of play.

But shortly before the hour mark at Craven Cottage, things went horribly, horribly wrong for Felix and Chelsea.

Just a few minutes after the in-form Denis Zakaria left the field of play with a knee injury, Felix got himself sent off for a reckless and inexcusable high tackle on Kenny Tete.

The man from Atletico Madrid gave referee David Coote no other choice and he will now be suspended for three games.

Just what you want on debut from a short-term loan signing who cost £9.7 million (not)…

Video: Felix’s red card tackle vs Fulham

Stupidity, complete and utter stupidity from Felix. It really was a horror tackle, one that probably would have been met with a red card in the 1990s!

Felix will miss matches against Crystal Palace and Liverpool, while he’ll also be absent for the reverse Premier League meeting with Fulham on February 3rd. Ouch.

Yeah, things really do seem to be going from bad to worse for Potter and you have to wonder whether he’s starting to regret leaving Brighton & Hove Albion.

Fifteen minutes after Felix’s red card on debut, Fulham took a 2-1 lead through former Tottenham Hotspur striker, Carlos Vinicius.

The Brazilian was tasked with filling Aleksandar Mitrovic’s sizeable boots and he did just that with a towering header. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goalkeeping left a lot to be desired, though.

Check out the winning goal in the west London derby…

Video: Vinicius’ goal vs Chelsea

Vinicius’ goal means Chelsea remain 10th in the Premier League table and their hopes of finishing in the top four now look all but over.

You fear for Potter, you really do…