Potter downbeat after another Chelsea loss: 'The hits keep coming'

Graham Potter suggested he could have "the hardest job in football" before Chelsea visited Fulham on Thursday.

The subsequent defeat certainly supported his case.

The spendthrift Blues remained in 10th place - 19 points adrift of first-placed Arsenal - in the Premier League table following their 2-1 loss at Craven Cottage. The result heaped more pressure on Potter, who has a win percentage of just 33% since succeeding Thomas Tuchel at the team's helm in September.

Joao Felix, the attacker who arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, proved to be both Chelsea's protagonist and antagonist on his debut. After being their most dangerous player for 58 minutes, he received a red card for an overenthusiastic lunge on Kenny Tete. The score was 1-1 when he was sent off.

"It was a forward's tackle - there was no malice in it, but I understand why it was a red," Potter said, according to The Associated Press. "It is another blow. The hits keep coming at the moment, that's how it is. He (Felix) was really good, you could see his quality in the game, so it is doubly disappointing for us."

"It is tough. I feel for the supporters, the players, and for everybody connected with the club. It is a tough moment for us," Potter added, as reported by ESPN's James Olley.

The team's form makes tough reading for Chelsea supporters. The Blues have only taken points from Dinamo Zagreb, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest over their last eight matches in the Premier League and Champions League, and were dumped from both the League Cup and FA Cup by Manchester City. N'Golo Kante, Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, and wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell are among a hoard of first-team players currently unavailable due to injury.

But patience is in short supply at Chelsea. Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, and Andrey Santos have already been signed in the January transfer window following an aggressive summer recruitment drive that cost £261 million. The fans, and the board, are expectant.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta and other players acknowledged the traveling supporters at Craven Cottage after Chelsea's latest defeat, but others escaped the fury. Potter was among the former party.

"I made sure I went over and clapped to them because you appreciate the support," Potter said, according to the Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella. "It's not easy. We're suffering and they are suffering.

"So, we feel for them and feel their disappointment. I think it's important we stick together and try to get through this tough period because it really is a tough period."