Debutant Joao Felix's red card proved costly as Carlos Vinicius earned Fulham a 2-1 win over west London rivals Chelsea that piles even more pressure on head coach Graham Potter.
Joao Felix was named in injury-hit Chelsea's starting line-up, a day after joining on loan from Atletico Madrid, and saw red for a lunge on Kenny Tete shortly before the hour mark.
Chelsea had fought their way back into the match at the time of that dismissal after Kalidou Koulibaly's close-range finish cancelled out former Blues winger Willian's first-half opener at Craven Cottage.
Fulham were without suspended top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, but Carlos Vinicius headed in his first Fulham goal in the 73rd minute to land his side a rare win in this fixture and make it six defeats in eight for Chelsea.
Bernd Leno did well to keep out an early Lewis Hall strike in a bright start from Chelsea, with Joao Felix looking particularly lively in the final third.
Fulham soon grew into the game and struck the crossbar through a powerful Bobby Decordova-Reid effort, shortly after Carlos Vinicius had a penalty shout rejected.
However, Willian gave Fulham the lead when Chelsea's defence backed off and allowed the winger to fire away a shot that deflected off Trevoh Chalobah on its way through.
Leno continued to frustrate Chelsea, but he was almost caught out by a Mason Mount free-kick that struck the right-hand post and landed nicely for Koulibaly to squeeze over the line.
Chelsea lost another player to injury when Denis Zakaria hobbled off and then had Joao Felix dismissed for a studs-up challenge on Tete.
More misery was to follow for Chelsea and Potter as Andreas Pereira played in a delightful cross for Carlos Vinicius to get above Chalobah and power home a winning goal at the back post.
Alex Lowry beginning to reach level to earn Hearts starts – Steven Naismith
Hearts manager Steven Naismith believes Alex Lowry is beginning to put in the level of performances he needs to start consistently.
Against Ross County on Saturday afternoon, the on-loan attacker came off the bench to provide the assist for Alan Forrest’s decisive header, just days after scoring the winner in the League Cup quarter final against Kilmarnock.
While Lowry’s quality on the ball has rarely been questioned, Naismith says it is the lessons he is learning out of possession that will earn him a spot in the starting XI on a more regular basis.
“He probably could be a bit disappointed not to start (against Ross County), but I was thinking more about our structure and I knew it was going to change in the second half,” Naismith said.
“I challenge him all the time to give us an end product and I thought he was really good off the ball today. We can’t have a luxury player, he needs to be in certain positions and I thought he did that really well when he came on.
“For 90 per cent of his youth career he has been on the front foot. He has come in here where teams play more directly than he will have been used to and he needs to learn that.
“A lot of the time when the second ball dropped, he was on it because his positioning was brilliant.
“That’s the part he needs to do consistently and then he can ask to start. He has done that in the last two games, which is pleasing.”
County boss Malky Mackay, meanwhile, felt a draw would have been a fair result after his side left the Global Energy Stadium empty-handed.
He said: “I think over the piece, a draw was probably a fair result.
“We were up against a good team with a big squad of players and I thought we managed the game well.
“We knew the threats they had, especially (Lawrence) Shankland who is a clever player and we managed that really well and thought that as the game went on we would kick on.
“It’s the top end of the park I thought we should have been better. The quality that’s usually there wasn’t today, so that’s probably what I’m most disappointed about.
“The ball went into the final third and didn’t stick as well as it should have and near the end, especially, we have chances but don’t test their goalkeeper and that’s what annoys me. We’ve got to get better at that.”
Michael Jacobs saves point for Chesterfield as winning streak ends at Maidenhead
Chesterfield’s seven-match winning run was ended but the Vanarama National League leaders were grateful for Michael Jacobs’ second-half strike in a 1-1 draw at struggling Maidenhead.
Craig Ross saved well from Will Grigg but Maidenhead, who had lost their previous five fixtures, took the lead after half-an-hour as Tobi Sho-Silva turned in Jayden Mitchell-Lawson’s low cross.
Armando Dobra and Ollie Bank went close to equalising before half-time while Jacobs’ strike from an acute angle was well saved by Maidenhead goalkeeper Ross after the interval.
Jacobs would not be denied in the 58th minute, superbly lashing home from distance, although the Spireites settled for a point after Ross saved from Grigg, who had been put clean through, late on.
The wins will come – Liam Rosenior not concerned by Hull’s run of home draws
Hull head coach Liam Rosenior is convinced an uptick in home form is forthcoming after the 1-1 draw against Plymouth.
The Tigers are unbeaten since the opening day of the season but they have now drawn their last four games at the MKM Stadium.
Rosenior said: “I want more wins, but the wins will come as a process.
“The process is performance and our performances have been absolutely top this season.
“We have been so consistent – we don’t get beat and have, other than two halves of football, dominated teams all season.
“I’m frustrated not to win the game, but I’m not frustrated about the performance. We had complete control and domination but you have to remember we are a work in progress.”
Hull, who are fifth in the Sky Bet Championship, were continually frustrated against high-pressing opponents, who opened the scoring after 22 minutes when Ryan Allsop could only parry Bali Mumba’s excellent left-wing cross towards Adam Randell, who scored from a tight angle.
Plymouth were unlucky not to double their lead when Finn Azaz’s low shot from distance struck the inside of the right post and then skidded out for a goal kick.
Hull, however, equalised just before the break after left-back Macaulay Gillesphey was twice outsmarted by Jaden Philogene, who teed up Regan Slater in front of an open goal.
Rosenior’s men controlled the game after the restart, yet they only looked like scoring late on.
But they found goalkeeper Conor Hazard in inspired form – most notably when he saved with his legs from Alfie Jones.
Rosenior said: “Their goal changes the atmosphere.
“We’ve just had our best start in the history of the Championship. Why? Because we play out from the back and have a clear identity.
“We are in this together and everyone should see the benefits of playing this way. If we do stick together there are so many positives to come this season.
“We’ve got a very, very young team which I love. My job is to have consistent performances. We’re on the right track and I’ve got so much belief in the players.”
Counterpart Steven Schumacher felt Plymouth, who have yet to win on their travels this season, were good value for a point.
He said: “We knew this was going to be a difficult place to come. They are expansive when they play but if you can get the press right, you can cause them a problem.
“We expected a tough game and that was exactly what we got. Once we settled down after the first 10 minutes we looked good and composed.
“For us to concede right before half-time was a bit of a blow. In the second half it was the same – it ebbed and flowed – but I feel it was probably a deserved point.
“Late on, Conor’s done what he’s supposed to do, and the one he made (from Jones) was outstanding.
“It was a big moment for us. That now gives confidence going into the next away game.
“The players have been brilliant, but that’s now the standard we have set.
“It would have been unjust if we hadn’t taken at least a point from the game.”
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