Chelsea needed a victory against Fulham to show they meant business. Instead they took a brutal loss and questions must be answered.
Chelsea needed a victory heading into Wednesday's clash with Fulham. After undergoing a regime change, tumultuous messaging from the ownership and board combined with a disastrous December, Chelsea needed a boost.
Instead they took a 2-1 loss against Fulham after playing a man down. Not exactly the resounding result the club and supporters were looking for with new manager Liam Rosenior looking on from the stands.
The first half was, to be polite, disgusting. Marc Cucurella's 22' red card set off the spiral after denying Fulham a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Captain Enzo Fernandez would not let the issue go, nor most of the Chelsea squad, as he earned a yellow along with teammates Cole Palmer and Tosin Adarbioyo.
Playing one man down, Chelsea was able to keep the score level at 0-0 through the first half, which included six minutes of added time. During which, Fulham scored what appeared to be a goal before Raul Jimenez was called offsides and the goal rescinded.
While Chelsea looked slightly better in the second half, they did concede a goal to Raul Jimenez in the 55' and the match-deciding goal to Harry Wilson late in the 81'. The only consolation was Liam Delap's 72' goal, his first in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea should shoulder much of the blame as they played wildly undisciplined, made poor substitutions and looked lethargic. With plenty of fixtures this week, it is entirely possible that Chelsea continue to slip down the table, something that would be devastating for the club.
They still have plenty of time to bring in reinforcements with the January transfer window but supporters are weary of whether the reinforcements will actually benefit the club vice being used as an investment vessel for the ownership group.
Chelsea's next match will be against Charlton in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday. Perhaps they can gain some confidence and get back on track.
The morale boost is desperately needed.