Felix big crash lands at Fulham derby as red card deepens Chelsea crisis

January 13 - João Félix was sent off on his Chelsea debut as his new side lost 2-1 at Fulham in the Premier League on Thursday, putting even more pressure on manager Graham Potter.

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Felix, who had been the best player on the pitch until his consecutive red card, was sent off in the 58th minute for a cleats challenge just 24 hours after being loaned out by Atletico Madrid.

He will now be out until February 11 and will miss the league games against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and the second leg with Fulham.

Felix joined in a deal costing Chelsea £11m for just a few months until the end of the season, but the club have now fallen to a sixth defeat in their last eight appearances in all competitions combined - his worst race in nearly 30 years.

Chelsea remained in 10th place, 19 points behind leaders Arsenal after playing one game more. A top-four place to qualify for the Champions League looks increasingly unlikely, although Chelsea could blame part of it on a long injury list with around 10 players missing.

"It's another blow. The blows keep coming right now, that's how it is," said Potter, touted as England's most coveted coach when he took over from sacked Thomas Tuchel.

"He (Félix) was really good, you could see his quality in the game, so it's doubly disappointing for us."

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