Chelsea’s back pain put Roman’s nose out of joint

TWO years ago, Roman Abramovich stomped out of Villa Park in a rage, following an insipid defeat that proved the catalyst for Jose Mourinho’s departure as Chelsea manager.

There was no huffy early exit on Saturday for the Russian oligarch but, even so, there are certain parallels that will deepen the worry lines on the forehead of Carlo Ancelotti.

The new Chelsea manager is not under immediate threat from Abramovich but the nature of this performance will have alarm bells ringing.