Joao Felix SENT OFF on Chelsea debut after he is given a straight red for a reckless lunge

Joao Felix has been sent off on his Chelsea debut and received a straight red after a reckless lunge.

Chelsea’s new loan signing was dismissed after lunging in on Fulham‘s Kenny Tete during the Blues clash on Thursday night. 

Felix arrived at Stamford Bridge on a loan deal until the end of the season on Wednesday after the Blues paid Atletico Madrid a £9m fee.

Joao Felix was sent off on his Chelsea debut after a reckless lunge on Fulham’s Kenny Tete

He was thrown in from the start by Graham Potter for the Blues’ west London derby on Thursday night.

Felix had been bright before recklessly diving in on Tete after a poor touch.

He caught the Fulham defender on the shin and David Coote had no hesitation in sending the Portuguese forward off. 

Speaking on BT Sport’s coverage of the game,  former Premier League referee Peter Walton said: ‘He has lunged in, there is no intention of course, but he’s gone in too high. It’s the right decision for me. He has endangered the opposition.’

Ex-Chelsea coach Jody Morris agreed.  He said on Sky Sports: ‘Felix can’t have any complaints,’ before adding: ‘It’s such a shame because he’s been excellent in this game. ‘ 

Jamie Carragher agreed with Morris and hailed Felix’s performance in his debut for the Premier League side.

He tweeted: ‘Felix & Chelsea can’t complain with the red card, but up until that point he’d been the best player on the pitch!’

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