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João Félix received a red card in his first game for Chelsea
Photo: Vince Mignott/EPA
Chelsea have continued their downward trend in the Premier League.
In the catch-up game on matchday 7, the 2021 Champions League winner lost 2-1 (0-1) to newly promoted Fulham on Thursday.
After the seventh defeat in the last nine games, Chelsea are already eight points behind a place in the European Cup in tenth place.
Brazilians Willian (25') and Carlos Vinícius (73') scored the goals for Fulham, who improved to sixth place.
Kalidou Koulibaly (47th) scored the only goal for the team around national player Kai Havertz.
Just a day after his loan from Atlético Madrid, João Félix made his debut in the English football championship.
The Portuguese international played well but was red carded in the 58th minute after a serious foul.
The Portugal international found Fulham's Kenny Tete on an open-soled tackle at knee height.
Chelsea coach Graham Potter is now coming under increasing criticism.
Since he replaced Thomas Tuchel last September, the Londoners have lacked a clear game idea, and the results are not right either.
Chelsea were eliminated by Manchester City in both cup competitions.
Only in the Champions League does the Potter team still have a chance of winning a title and will meet Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16.
The mood has already shifted among some fans.
After the cup defeat against Manchester City at the weekend, they called for Potter to be replaced and for Tuchel to come back.
Potter understood the frustration: "The fans' frustration is understandable," he said.
'It's obvious we're not in a good phase.' Potter was visibly served after losing to Fulham and sending Félix off.
"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong," he lamented.
kjo/dpa/sid