In the minds of the optimists in the Stamford Bridge boardroom, there will come a time when Chelsea can look back on the night they lost to Fulham for the first time in 17 years and laugh about the timing of their new signing. Atlético de Madrid took it too far in their attempts to prove they could cope with the rough and tumble of English football.
However, the problem with this theory, which involves West London’s third-best club being rewarded for allowing Graham Potter to guide them through this most awkward of transitions, is that it faces the current reality. There’s trusting the process and then there’s the spectacle of Chelsea in 10th place.
This, even if injuries are to be taken into account, is moving into crisis territory. By the end, Chelsea had fallen six points behind Fulham and while there were encouraging reflections from João Félix before his debut ended with a hasty red card, the fact is that a squad assembled with such a big outlay would not have of being on a seven game losing streak. their last 10 games.
It will be a long road back for Potter. On the bright side, he could at least talk about some positives for Chelsea. There had been some flashes of the old challenge, typified by Kalidou Koulibaly who put on another warped defensive display to smuggle in an equalizer just after the break, and there were flashes of enterprising football.
To give Potter credit, it might have turned out differently if Felix had kept his cool instead of fouling Kenny Tete when the game was deadlocked at 1-1 in the 58th minute. But Chelsea lost, the 10-man bursting when Carlos Vinícius headed home the winner in the 73rd minute. It was another soft concession, with Thiago Silva and Kepa Arrizabalaga both at fault, and Fulham could fancy a move up to sixth.
The joy of the Fulham fans, who can’t believe how well Marco Silva’s side have played since winning promotion, was hard to take. It’s not supposed to be that way for Chelsea, although their demise is more than whether it was right to replace Thomas Tuchel with Potter. After all, it wasn’t Potter who signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who didn’t even come off the bench as Chelsea chased a late point.
The balance is not right. Koulibaly has been a poor signing, while Marc Cucurella’s late cameo underlined why 18-year-old Lewis Hall was chosen at left-back instead of the £62million Spaniard.
João Félix was sent off early in the second half for this foul on Fulham’s Kenny Tete. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
Chelsea made strange decisions. Koulibaly’s attempts to play from the back were laughable and a terrible mistake by Trevoh Chalobah saw Bobby Decordova-Reid smash a shot against the crossbar. As for Fulham’s first goal on 25 minutes, it came from Hall who conceded possession to Reid in a dangerous position and Chalobah was unable to clear his lines. The ball fell to Willian, who evaded César Azpilicueta and saw his effervescent shot beat Arrizabalaga thanks to Chalobah’s deflection.
Willian did not celebrate deepening the misery of his old side. The sight of the Brazilian running at Azpilicueta had brought back memories of better times for Chelsea, although there was at least some hope for the future. Potter’s 3-5-2 system gave the visitors control of midfield in the early stages, there was some welcome assertiveness from Kai Havertz after his dismal display in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City and there were many good touches from Felix. who spent most of his time on the pitch floating, dancing past defenders and creating chances.
Sign up for Football Daily
Start your evenings with The Guardian’s opinion on the world of football
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertisements and content funded by third parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
A slender presence, Felix was not overwhelmed by the physical challenge. The Portuguese striker is an expensive loan signing but could be inspired. Félix was ready despite having only trained once after his move from Atlético. His first involvement almost led to a goal for Hall and there was danger whenever he got on the ball.
The only disappointment is that Félix, who came close to scoring on several occasions, will be suspended for three days. His dismissal was the turning point. Chelsea had just canceled out Willian’s goal. Hall had won a free-kick down the left, Mount had almost caught Bernd Leno at his near post and Koulibaly had forced the ball over the line.
At the time the momentum was with Chelsea. Fulham, who had needed Leno to deny Hall, were nervous. But nothing happens to Chelsea. Their injury list grew when Denis Zakaria, who had been playing well in midfield, limped off. Felix’s brainless lunge soon followed.
With 10 men, Chelsea tried to hold firm, threatening when Havertz widened Leno. With 17 minutes remaining, however, a cross from Andreas Pereira flew over Silva and Arrizabalaga’s poor position was punished by Vinicius. The hardest job in football, as Potter had said, had become even harder.