Skipper Terry no longer top dog

IF Fabio Capello wanted reassurance his decision to reappoint John Terry to the England captaincy was the right one, he was at the right place yesterday afternoon.

Stamford Bridge is never slow to crank up a chant of ‘there’s only one England captain’ even if that has not strictly been true for the last 12 months. This time, however, the volume was increased as Terry led out his side and once again the words carried conviction.

No matter that Capello has risked upsetting a dressing room already bristling with fractured egos and dented pride, the Italian has decided that Terry should be the lieutenant on the pitch, warts and all, and the matter is now closed. At least until the next time the central defender commits an indiscretion in his private life.