Drogba senses tide is turning

DESPITE his unflappable image, Andre Villas-Boas must have feared that life as Chelsea manager would deteriorate further just minutes into his visit to Tyneside.

After a midweek defeat to Liverpool in the Carling Cup and confirmation that transfer requests from Nicolas Anelka and Brazilian Alex had been accepted, David Luiz should have been red carded for pulling down Newcastle United’s Demba Ba with less than four minutes gone. Instead, the inconsistent Luiz survived with a booking. While Alan Pardew, the Newcastle manager, was incensed along with 50,000 angry Geordies, Villas-Boas breathed a sigh of relief.

Not only did Luiz grow in confidence but the Chelsea manager also witnessed his team go on to secure a victory he hopes will act as the spark to the season the Blues have been hoping for.