Fulham vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight after Joao Felix red card
Fulham 2-1 Chelsea: Joao Felix sent off on Chelsea debut as Blues come unstuck at Craven Cottage
Graham Potter was left with more questions than answers as his Chelsea side slumped to another defeat in the Premier League when they travelled to Craven Cottage on Thursaday evening. With just one win in nine matches the Blues welcomed a trip to Fulham who haven’t beaten them in the league since 2006, but things didn’t turn out the way they’d planned.
The home side were positive and controlled in possession, often pushing high up the pitch out of it and from the off it looked like Chelsea were in for a fight. Willian, a former blue who spent seven years at Stamford Bridge, opened the scoring in the first half. He brought down a cross into the box and after cutting inside saw his deflected effort bobble into the far bottom corner.
Chelsea’s new signing Joao Felix threatened throughout and the momentum almost turned when Kalidou Koulibaly equalised after half-time. Felix had a rush of blood though and dove into a silly challenge earning himself a straight red card which sealed Chelsea’s fate.
At 1-1 there was still work to do for the home side but Andreas Pereira stepped up and lifting a pinpoint cross onto the head of Carlos Vinicius to secure all three points for the Cottagers.
Relive all the action as Fulham host Chelsea at Craven Cottage:
What Joao Felix will bring to Chelsea
Chelsea have completed a six-month loan move for Portugal forward Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.
The 23-year-old will bolster the attacking options for head coach Graham Potter, whose squad is currently beset by injuries.
Here we take a look at what the player will bring to the London club.
An extra dimension with a point to prove: What Joao Felix will bring to Chelsea
The 23-year-old will bolster the attacking options for Graham Potter
Fulham vs Chelsea
Fulham have won just one of their 30 Premier League matches against Chelsea. It was a 1-0 victory in March 2006.
The Blues have shipped just six goals in their last 15 Premier League games against Fulham, and have not conceded more than once in any of those fixtures.
Fulham vs Chelsea
Chelsea have won seven straight league meetings with Fulham dating back to November 2012.
Meanwhile, the Cottagers have won just seven of the 74 league meetings between the sides. It is the lowest win rate in a fixture to have been played at least 50 times in English football league history.
Joao Felix brings buzz to Chelsea but underlines haphazard nature of ownership
The lure of Joao Felix proved too much for Todd Boehly. One last splash to prove his worth before seemingly handing the keys at Chelsea to one of the most extensive and deep recruitment teams ever assembled in European football.
The Portuguese forward has rarely displayed the consistency to justify Atletico Madrid’s staggering €126m (£112.9m) outlay from 2019, yet that is precisely why such a precocious talent is even available.
The allure of Felix was clear weeks ago, as Manchester United and Arsenal, a neater fit for his intrinsic control and movement, pondered their own loan offers.
Yet both clubs baulked at the mere suggestion of a fee north of €10m for the privilege of just six months of service.
Joao Felix brings buzz to Chelsea but underlines haphazard nature of ownership
The Portuguese forward, who arrives at Stamford Bridge on loan, points to further confusion surrounding the strategy under Todd Boehly
Fulham vs Chelsea team changes
Marco Silva makes a heap of changes to the Fulham side that defeated Hull City 2-0 in the FA Cup third round at the weekend. Only Andreas Pereira, Carlos Vinicius, Harrison Reed and Tosin Adarabioyo keep their spots.
Graham Potter makes four changes to his Chelsea side. Thiago Silva returns to the defence along with Cesar Azpilicueta. Denis Zakaria starts in midfield and Joao Felix is given his Chelsea debut up top alongside Kai Havertz and Mason Mount.
Fulham vs Chelsea line-ups
Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Palhinha, Reed, Pereira, De Cordova-Reid, Vinicius, Willian
Chelsea XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, Azpilicueta, Zakaria, Kovacic, Hall, Mount, Havertz, Joao Felix
Aleksandar Mitrovic ‘getting better every single day’, Marco Silva believes
Fulham boss Marco Silva believes Aleksandar Mitrovic is getting back to his best.
The Serbia international scored his 11th goal of the season to secure a 1-0 victory at Leicester on Tuesday. It meant the Cottagers have already equalled their mark from when they were relegated with 28 points two years ago.
Mitrovic suffered a foot injury on international duty before the World Cup and struggled to regain fitness but Silva feels the striker is edging towards top form.
Aleksandar Mitrovic ‘getting better every single day’, Marco Silva believes
The Serbia international scored his 11th goal of the season to secure a 1-0 victory at Leicester on Tuesday
Fulham vs Chelsea
The Blues don’t have far to travel for tonight’s fixture against London rivals Fulham. Can Graham Potter’s side get back to winning ways?
Fulham boss Marco Silva plays down Chelsea’s poor run of form
Fulham manager Marco Silva has “no doubts” over Chelsea’s high quality despite their recent poor form ahead of Thursday’s west London derby at Craven Cottage.
Silva’s side head into the match seventh in the table having won all three Premier League games since action resumed in December following the World Cup, and having already equalled the points tally from their last top-flight campaign (28), when they were relegated under Scott Parker in 2020-21.
Graham Potter’s Blues, in contrast, have managed just one win in their last eight league matches and are currently dealing with a severe injury crisis, but Silva still expects them to be a force to be reckoned with.
Fulham boss Marco Silva plays down Chelsea’s poor run of form
The Blues have managed just one win in their last eight league matches
Can Fulham win without Mitrovic?
Fulham will be without top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic for tonight’s fixture with Chelsea because he is banned after receiving a fifth yellow card of the season earlier this month.
Can the Cottagers win without their leading goalscorer?
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