LONDON // What began as a blip has become a full-blown crisis. Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham United at Upton Park keeps the champions closer to the bottom three than the top four and leaves Jose Mourinho on the brink just 10 games after winning his third Premier League title.
Chelsea’s current position seemed unthinkable in the summer. Having strolled to the championship last term, many expected Mourinho’s side to be the team to beat this time around too.
The collapse since then has been extraordinary. Chelsea have been blunt going forward and brittle at the back, and a fifth loss in 10 top-flight matches felt like breaking point for a side who are a pale imitation of their former selves.
The first goal in a match like this was always likely to be pivotal: it was clear in the opening quarter of an hour that both West Ham and Chelsea wanted to play on the counter, with Mauro Zarate’s well-taken strike in the 17th-minute giving the hosts the privilege of ceding possession and springing forward on the break when the ball was turned over.
The goal, however, was not the key moment of the half. The decision of Nemanja Matic — already on a booking after fouling the superb Cheikhou Kouyate — to haul down Diafra Sakho on the by-line was not the smartest he has ever made, and resulted in Mourinho’s men having to play the remainder of the match one player light.
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Even before the dismissal, Chelsea struggled to create any clear-cut chances of note, continuing a theme that has seen most of their goals this season come from defensive mistakes, set-piece situations or moments of individual brilliance.
Willian forced a save out of Adrian from a free kick and Kurt Zouma’s header from the Brazilian’s corner was scrambled off the line but, aside from a well-worked opportunity that Diego Costa blazed over the bar early on, Chelsea barely troubled a well-organised West Ham rearguard from open play.
Things improved slightly after the interval, with West Ham unsure whether to stick or twist. Gary Cahill’s equaliser made their minds up for them; from then on, Slaven Bilic’s outfit dominated for the remainder of the match, with substitute Andy Carroll helping himself to the all-important winner with a trademark towering header.
Playing with 10 men for more than 45 minutes is a tough ask for any team, but Chelsea’s continued failure to demonstrate anything resembling guile or invention remains a significant issue.
Mourinho’s charges, moreover, are simply not the robust defensive unit they were last term. This was the eighth time in 10 Premier League matches that they have conceded at least two goals, with West Ham taking full advantage of the chronic lack of confidence and self-belief running through the side.
Most concerning of all was the total collapse in discipline following Matic’s sending-off.
Even when decisions are perceived to be going against a team, it is vital is to maintain composure and focus on the task ahead.
Chelsea, though, did the total opposite: John Terry and Cesc Fabregas were both booked for disputing referee Jonathan Moss’ call, assistant coach Silvino Louro was sent to the stands after storming to the edge of the technical area to vociferously register his disapproval and Mourinho was forced to watch the second period from the directors’ box after allegedly attempting to enter the officials’ dressing room at the break.
Mourinho refused to speak to the media after the game, only adding to the sense that the end could be near.
The Chelsea manager still has plenty of credit in the bank given his prior achievements at Stamford Bridge, but the pressure is mounting and it is becoming increasingly difficult to see a way out.
After a stormy and controversy-laden encounter at Upton Park in which Chelsea again came off second best, owner Roman Abramovich may soon find himself with a major decision to make.
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