Welcome to Sham-ford Bridge

LET’S take this in chronological order, shall we? We’ll get to Saturday and another day at the office for Chelsea shortly, but the thought process began last Sunday as I was driving home from Newcastle.

I was listening to commentary on Fulham's unexpected victory over Chelsea. The home fans jubilation was dominated by a chant that's become too familiar amongst opposing fans when they're up against the Champions: "Same old Chelsea, always cheating."

I'd be lying if I said the same thought hadn't crossed my mind on several occasions. Drogba's handball for the 'equalising goal' was correctly ruled out though I'm still at a loss, a week on, to understand how either referee or linesman saw it.

So, last Wednesday, I sat down in front of the television to watch the FA Cup tie at Stamford Bridge determined to put the 'theory' to the test. TV frequently exposes things more difficult to pick up with the naked eye.

Chelsea's tendency to 'cheat' proved somewhat overwhelming. Drogba fell after a legitimate tackle by Bowyer clutching his left shin when any minimal contact had been with his right ankle. Rewarded with a free kick, he was embarrassingly quick to jump back up.

Del Horno (shades of Messi, this one) threw himself down in apparent agony. He, too, got a free kick and the 'offender' Parker received a firm ticking off. Parker didn't remotely touch the Spanish full back. It wasn't even a tackle.

Cole, who must surely practice his anguished looks in front of a mirror, dived after Elliott moved 'in his vicinity'. No wonder the dramatics provoked the Newcastle defender to aim a kick at the England player. I'd have been tempted myself.

Then, and trust me these are only the 'highlights', Wright-Phillips actually threw himself at Elliott, who was trying to get out of the way, and the referee sent Elliott off for a second yellow card 'offence'. Wright-Phillips wasn't a diver at Manchester City: why now?

On then to Saturday. You'd have thought Drogba might have understood the need for discretion, even if only for a week or so. No. Having put Chelsea in front with the most exquisite of goals I'm not a fan but he can play he blatantly handled the ball to set up his clinching second strike.

Worse, when questioned about it afterwards, he readily admitted that he'd done so. "It's part of the game." Well, it may be part of your game, Didier, but cheating isn't part of any sport that I want to be associated with.

And it wasn't the only 'cheating' Chelsea indulged in against Manchester City. We saw too their customary diving; from Drogba, of course, and sadly from Damien Duff.

Now this mustn't become a particular attack on one club. But the problem is now of epidemic proportions and we're already far past the point when decisive action should be taken. It's time for the FA to enforce retrospective punishment against offenders.

They have to suspend them afterwards.

Video can only help referees.

And two final points why does the best team in the country need to behave in such a manner?

And, are there referees, sitting at home like me and seeing what I saw, who'll subsequently think twice when any Chelsea player goes to ground? I hope so. Champions should set the highest standards. Chelsea don't.

P32 - Chelsea: A club once feted for its joie de vivre has become a graceless, unhappy place where sneers outnumber smiles.