Old habits die hard for Chelsea

AVRAM GRANT is determined to restore the swagger to Stamford Bridge, but for the time being he will take success by stealth.

Chelsea may sparkle intermittently, and it is only five weeks since Manchester City were spanked out of sight, but the old habits perfected under Jose Mourinho will clearly take time to eradicate. This was an afternoon which could have been hand-crafted by the Special One: a faltering, display against impressively belligerent opponents, with the points snaffled by a moment of genius — on this occasion from Joe Cole — just when they appeared to be slipping away.

The home supporters must have felt as if they had stepped back in time as they trooped home on Saturday, especially when their manager indulged in some of the sniping so beloved of his predecessor.