LIAM MACKEY: No Pep in beleaguered Blues’ step

It’s now beginning to look like Roman Abramovich’s scorched earth approach to manager-management can even cause collateral damage – witness Southampton’s stirring fightback from two-down at the Bridge on Wednesday to be followed, just two days later, by the sacking of Saints boss Nigel Adkins.

But whatever happens when Arsenal come calling tomorrow, even the frequently embattled Arsene Wenger should still be in charge of the Gunners for some time afterwards because if there’s one club in the Premier League which should make all rival supporters be careful what they wish for, it’s Chelsea.

Lest we forget, they are still the reigning European champions, the kind of achievement long-suffering Gooners can only dream about, yet it’s the Chelsea faithful who are in more mutinous mood these days, the lowest home league crowd of the season on Wednesday night finding endless reasons to say ‘Down with this sort of thing’ — from the provocation of Rafa’s mere presence inside the stadium, to the replacement of the much-loved Frank Lampard by the much-derided Fernando Torres with just over ten minutes remaining.