Chelsea refuse to surrender

IF these really are the death throes of the Jose Mourinho era at Chelsea, then the old curmudgeon clearly has no intention of going quietly.

The west Londoners shook off the stupefying effects of a shambolic first half to snatch a thrilling draw with Tottenham and preserve their hopes of a first FA Cup under the Portuguese. The late revival, sealed by Salomon Kalou’s spectacular equaliser, was as predictable as it was pulsating: somehow, Chelsea always seem to find a way.

His poisonous spat with Roman Abramovich might already have sealed Mourinho’s summer departure from Stamford Bridge, but he is not behaving like a man eyeing the exit door. He was a bouncing, belligerent bundle of energy on the touchline yesterday, even summoning the strength to launch a trademark tirade at the referee Mike Riley.