Fulham missed a penalty, scored an own goal and had a man sent off in a truly disheartening 3-1 defeat to fellow 10-man side Aston Villa in the Premier League at Craven Cottage.
A fifth-minute opener from Raul Jimenez was not a sign of things to come for the Cottagers, as Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins turned the tie on its head for Unai Emery's crop, in between Andreas Pereira's terrible penalty attempt.
The horror show only ramped up from there for Fulham, who had Joachim Andersen sent off before his replacement - Issa Diop - scored an own goal with his first touch, and not even a late red card of Villa's own to Jaden Philogene could spoil the visitors' party.
In keeping with this season's theme of quickfire goals in the Premier League, Marco Silva's side and Emery's men were serving up the early entertainment in the 3pm kickoffs, as both nets were breached inside the opening 10 minutes.
Pitiful defending from Pau Torres allowed Jimenez to steal in for a fifth-minute opener, but Villa got back to square one just four moments later, albeit with a huge slice of luck from Rogers's deflected effort.
The engrossing action did not stop there, as Fulham had a golden chance to retake the lead from the penalty spot following a Matty Cash handball, but Pereira's awful penalty was comfortably kept out by Emiliano Martinez.
That embarrassing attempt would be the first of several nightmare moments for the Cottagers, who fell behind to Watkins's header, had Andersen dismissed for a last-man foul and then saw Villa go out of sight thanks to Diop's comical own goal.
Philogene had to take a slightly early bath himself as both sides finished the game with 10 men, but it was the 10 men of Villa that can celebrate going fourth in the Premier League table, while Fulham sit ninth after successive defeats.
FULHAM VS. ASTON VILLA HIGHLIGHTS
Raul Jimenez goal vs. Aston Villa (5th min, Fulham 1-0 Aston Villa)
© Imago
The Jimenez redemption arc continues, and this will go down as an assist for the goalkeeper Bernd Leno!
The German shot-stopper sends a hopeful punt forward towards Jimenez, who shrugs off an incredibly weak Pau Torres, lets the ball bounce twice and clinically dispatches a half-volley off the inside of the post.
Morgan Rogers goal vs. Fulham (9th min, Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa)
© Imago
As was the case against Manchester City, Fulham take the lead early on only to be pegged back. Emery's men play the ball out from the back expertly and Rogers takes on a shot from 20 yards, which takes a huge deflection off Andersen.
Leno, who had started to shift to his left, is totally helpless as the ball trickles into the bottom right-hand corner.
Emiliano Martinez penalty save vs. Fulham (27th min, Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa)
© Imago
Fulham are up in arms when the ball hits Cash's arm; the Villa man initially got away with blocking Jimenez's header with his outstretched limb, but Darren England awards the penalty after checking the pitchside monitor.
Pereira takes on the spot-kick responsibility, but Martinez saves Cash's bacon and the Fulham man's atrocious penalty down to his left - he tried the stuttered run-up and fails miserably. Argentina beats Brazil on this occasion!
Ollie Watkins goal vs. Fulham (59st min, Fulham 1-2 Aston Villa)
The turnaround is complete! Villa had tested Leno on a couple of occasions at the start of the second half, but the German is powerless to keep out a bullet Watkins header from Youri Tielemans's corner, which clips the underside of the crossbar on its way in.
How Pereira will be lamenting that horrendous penalty miss in the first half!
Joachim Andersen red card vs. Aston Villa (64th min, Fulham 1-2 Aston Villa)
© Imago
A missed penalty and a sending off - this is turning into a truly rotten day for Fulham. Watkins is about to charge through on goal but gets a tug on the shoulder from Andersen, who was the last man and is given a straight red card.
Issa Diop own goal vs. Aston Villa (69th min, Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa)
Scratch that - a missed penalty, a sending-off and an own goal. The unholy trinity.
Diop - who had only just come on to shore up the Cottagers' backline - clumsily diverts Lucas Digne's cross into his own net with his first touch to all but confirm all three points for the visitors, who to their credit have also been terrific since conceding first.
Jaden Philogene red card vs. Fulham (90+2 min, Fulham 1-3 Villa)
Looks as if this one will finish 10v10, as Villa substitute Philogene - already on a booking - nudges Reiss Nelson, remonstrates with the official and earns himself a second yellow card.
The Lions attacker does not hang his head in shame, though - he holds up the scoreline with his fingers to the enraged Fulham fans as he trudges off the field.
MAN OF THE MATCH - YOURI TIELEMANS
© Imago
Even before his on-the-money corner for Watkins's header, Youri Tielemans was by far and away the brightest player on the West London pitch and was the most obvious pick for the man of the match prize.
The Belgian lynchpin created four chances on the day, as well as completing 90% of his passes and making two tackles in an all-round midfield masterclass.
FULHAM VS. ASTON VILLA MATCH STATS
Possession: Fulham 52%-48% Aston Villa
Shots: Fulham 10-14 Aston Villa
Shots on target: Fulham 4-5 Aston Villa
Corners: Fulham 6-11 Aston Villa
Fouls: Fulham 8-11 Aston Villa
BEST STAT
FT: Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 19, 2024
Villa are now unbeaten in their last nine games across all competitions. #FULAVL pic.twitter.com/uPDAuHndMB
WHAT NEXT?
Villa now have Champions League matters to attend to, hosting Italian upstarts Bologna on Tuesday evening, before welcoming Bournemouth to the West Midlands in the Premier League next Saturday.
Meanwhile, Fulham have a full week to recover before travelling to Everton for the evening Premier League kickoff on October 26, where Silva must find a solution to Andersen's suspension.
Ben Knapton
