Blues for returning Grant

AVRAM GRANT appears destined never to find happiness at Stamford Bridge. The man who came within one missed penalty of winning the Champions League for Roman Abramovich endured an ultimately unfulfilling return to west London with his new club Portsmouth: the fact that defeat was confirmed by a spot-kick merely gave the result an extra spiteful twist.

Grant was just 12 minutes away from claiming a precious and unexpected point thanks to Frederic Piquionne’s goal when Marc Wilson’s rash tackle on Branislav Ivanovic gave Chelsea their chance. Frank Lampard stepped up and, unlike John Terry in Moscow, his shot struck the net rather than the post.

It was a cruel end to an otherwise encouraging night for Grant. The Israeli had been applauded generously by the home fans as he took his seat on the sidelines - which is more than can be said for when he was occupying the home dugout - and his team, in general, did not let him down.