Potter’s troubled aspect crashed to a seventh defeat of their final 10 video games in all competitions after one other spluttering show.
Fulham’s Willian scores in opposition to his former membership Chelsea throughout their English premier league match on 12 January 2023. Picture: @FulhamFC/Twitter
LONDON – Graham Potter pleaded together with his Chelsea gamers to “stay together” after a shock 2-1 defeat at Fulham that noticed Blues ahead Joao Felix despatched off on his debut earlier than a decisive blunder from Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Potter’s troubled aspect crashed to a seventh defeat of their final 10 video games in all competitions after one other spluttering show.
Chelsea fell behind to a aim from their former winger Willian within the first half at Craven Cottage on Thursday.
Kalidou Koulibaly equalised after the break however Felix was dismissed for a reckless studs-up lunge on Kenny Tete.
Fulham have been gifted their late winner by Chelsea keeper Kepa, who made a hash of coping with a cross that Carlos Vinicius transformed to depart Potter dealing with renewed speak of the sack simply 4 months after he changed the axed Thomas Tuchel.
“It sums up where we are at the moment. Everything that can go wrong, is going wrong,” Potter mentioned.
“I was disappointed with goals. We can do better than that. That’s what cost us.
“It’s a tricky second. We are upset. I really feel for the supporters and I really feel for the gamers.”
Potter this week labelled managing Chelsea as “the toughest job in soccer” after a turbulent period that is severely testing owner Todd Boehly’s faith in the former Brighton boss.
Chelsea are languishing in 10th place – 10 points adrift of the top four – after their wretched run extended to one win in their last nine league games.
They have managed just four goals in their last eight games in all competitions and Potter desperately needs a victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday to buy himself at least a little breathing space.
“We have gotten to maintain working. There isn’t any different resolution. You should preserve working, keep collectively and attempt to get the three factors,” Potter said.
Hampered by a debilitating injury list, Potter held a meeting with senior players Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic on Tuesday in an attempt to calm the crisis.
But Chelsea fans’ patience is already wearing thin and losing to sixth placed neighbours Fulham was another bitter blow to his hopes of avoiding the sack.
‘ANOTHER BLOW’
It was in keeping with Potter’s misfortune that Felix’s promising debut ended prematurely after his loan move from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
“It was a forwards deal with. There was no malice in it however I perceive why it was a red. It is one other blow. The hits preserve coming in the meanwhile,” Potter said.
The 23-year-old Felix, who cost Chelsea a reported 11 million euros ($12 million) loan fee, was one of four changes from the 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester City last weekend.
Given license to roam across Chelsea’s three-man attack, Felix’s pass found Kai Havertz and when the German’s shot was blocked, he laid the rebound to Lewis Hall, whose low drive was saved by Bernd Leno.
Picked out by Mateo Kovacic, Felix fired wide from the edge of the area, then volleyed over after Azpilicueta’s cross found him unmarked 10 yards from goal.
But Potter was left to rue dreadful defending when Fulham took the lead in the 25th minute.
Hall surrendered possession and Chalobah failed to clear properly before Willian unleashed a powerful drive that took a deflection off Trevoh Chalobah as it flashed past the wrong-footed Kepa.
Potter was ashen-faced on the bench as Fulham fans taunted him by singing “Stamford Bridge is falling down” and “you are getting sacked within the morning”.
Chelsea have been degree two minutes after half-time as Mason Mount’s free-kick hit the put up and rebounded to Koulibaly, who stabbed simply over the road earlier than Leno may save.
But even then, Potter’s luck would not final as Felix noticed red after needlessly throwing himself right into a excessive deal with that crashed into Tete’s shin.
There was an much more ignomious contribution to Chelsea’s downfall from Kepa within the 73rd minute.
Kepa fully misjudged the flight of Andreas Pereira’s cross, permitting it to sail over his head to Vinicius, who nodded into the empty web whereas Chelsea defender Thiago Silva screamed on the hapless keeper.