Bellamy leaves AVB on brink

THE pressure on Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is intensifying by the minute after a miserable Carling Cup exit to Liverpool made it three home defeats in four matches and ended hopes of an early trophy to buy himself time in what is becoming an increasingly difficult season.

The Portuguese coach looked a lonely and forlorn figure as goals from Maxi Rodriguez and Martin Kelly, both created by the effervescent Craig Bellamy, sent Liverpool deservedly into the semi-finals just two weeks after also posting a victory here in the league.

For the visitors it provides an opportunity for the first silverware of a new era, even if manager Kenny Dalglish was scathing about the scheduling of the competition in his post-match press conference. But Villas-Boas knows his own campaign is in danger of collapse with Chelsea facing a do-or-die match against Valencia in the Champions League next week and an extremely tough December in the Premier League, where Chelsea are currently placed a lowly fifth.