sport news Graham Potter defends Joao Felix after Chelsea's new boy was sent off on his ... trends now

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Joao Felix was sent off less than an hour into his Chelsea debut as the season went from bad to worse for Graham Potter at Fulham.

Felix, signed on loan from Atletico Madrid at a cost of £15million in fees and wages, was thrown straight in after only one training session with his new teammates.

He sparkled in the first half but saw red, early in the second, for an ugly lunging, studs-up late tackle on Kenny Tete, who escaped without injury.

“A forward’s tackle,” said Blues boss Potter.

“It didn’t feel like an emotional one. It was miscontrolled, and a football action that can happen with the speed of the Premier League. He didn’t go to hurt anybody. He didn’t lose his head.

“They’re all learning moments. Joao is a young player, top player, and you see his qualities. There was no malice in it at all but I understand why it was a red. It was a little bit high and the referee has decision to make.

“It’s really frustrating, incredibly challenging and I feel for the supporters. It is another blow the hits keep coming at the moment. He was really good you could see his quality in the game so to lose Joao for three matches is really disappointing.”