Graham Potter admitted he is frustrated with Chelsea’s current form after the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Fulham.
Chelsea have now won just one of their last nine Premier League games.
Potter also insisted Joao Felix’s red card on debut was not malicious after he was sent off for a rash challenge on Kenny Tete.
The score was 1-1 when the 23-year-old was sent off, after Kalidou Koulibaly bundled the ball over the line to cancel out former Chelsea winger Willian’s opener for the hosts.
But Carlos Vinicius’ header secured the win for Fulham and only their second victory over Chelsea since 1979.
“It’s really frustrating, it’s incredibly challenging, it’s a tough moment, I feel for the supporters,” Potter said.
“We’re disappointed to lose tonight. I thought it was a relatively even game in the first half.
“We had a couple of good chances, but I think the basics we can do a little bit better in terms of our defending and our football actions
“At the same time, we get back in the game and then the red card, it’s where we’re at at the moment where things can happen for us.
“Obviously, losing Denis (Zakaria) beforehand as well, so we just adjusted and then Joao was obviously having a fantastic impact on the game and you could see his quality.
“So, to lose him, and then to lose him for three matches it’s just really disappointing.”
Felix now faces three matches on the sidelines, to add to the lengthy list of players unavailable to Potter.
The Portugal international almost had an instant impact, with some clever wide play to set up Kai Havertz, and the ball fell to Lewis Hall after a rebound, but his shot was straight at Bernd Leno. (IrishIndependent)