Potter’s misery mounts as Fulham beat Chelsea after Felix red card

Chelsea’s English head coach Graham Potter applauds supporters as he leaves after the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London on January 12, 2023. – Fulham won the game 2-1. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) /

Graham Potter pleaded with his Chelsea players to “stay together” after a shock 2-1 defeat at Fulham that saw Blues forward Joao Felix sent off on his debut before a decisive blunder from Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Potter’s troubled side crashed to a seventh defeat in their last 10 games in all competitions after another spluttering display.

Chelsea fell behind to a goal from their former winger Willian in the first half at Craven Cottage on Thursday.

Kalidou Koulibaly equalised after the break but Felix was dismissed for a reckless studs-up lunge on Kenny Tete.

Fulham were gifted their late winner by Chelsea keeper Kepa, who made a hash of dealing with a cross that Carlos Vinicius converted to leave Potter facing renewed talk of the sack just four months after he replaced the axed Thomas Tuchel.

“It sums up where we are at the moment. Everything that can go wrong, is going wrong,” Potter said.

“I was disappointed with goals. We can do better than that. That’s what cost us.

“It’s a tough moment. We are upset. I feel for the supporters and I feel for the players.”

Potter this week labelled managing Chelsea as “the hardest job in football” 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