JOAO FELIX was sent off on his Chelsea debut for a reckless lunge on Fulham star Kenny Tete.
The new loanee lasted less than an hour as his dangerous tackle left referee David Coote with little option but to brandish the red card.
Joao Felix dived in recklessly and out of control
His high tackle caught Kenny Tete on his shin
GettyFelix received a straight red card[/caption]
Felix sprinted to try and reach a loose ball before diving in off the ground.
The striker’s tackle lacked control as he caught Tete high on his shin.
Fulham players immediately surrounded the referee who took time to consider his decision before brandishing the red card.
Former Premier League referee Peter Walton suggested Felix had endangered his opponent and deserved to walk.
He said on BT Sport: “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.”
BT Sport pundit Lucy Ward added: “There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that it was a red card.
“He followed through and there was no suggestion he was going to bend his leg. It was reckless.”
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Felix’s Chelsea career has got off to a nightmare start after only confirming his loan switch on Wednesday.
The Portugal international did not come cheap either, with Chelsea paying Atletico Madrid £9m to take him for the rest of the season.
The Blues are also covering his £250,000-a-week wages, which means their total outlay on the deal is £13million.