Andre Villas-Boas rose to prominence as the coach of Porto's all-conquering team last season. He guided his team to a league, domestic cup and Europa League treble, drawing comparisons with the club's former coach and current Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.
Pride of Porto —
Andre Villas-Boas rose to prominence as the coach of Porto's all-conquering team last season. He guided his team to a league, domestic cup and Europa League treble, drawing comparisons with the club's former coach and current Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.
Villas-Boas followed in Mourinho's footsteps by making the move to Stamford Bridge and taking over from Italian Carlo Ancelotti in June 2011, aged just 33.
Roman's new empire —
Villas-Boas followed in Mourinho's footsteps by making the move to Stamford Bridge and taking over from Italian Carlo Ancelotti in June 2011, aged just 33.
His first defeat as Chelsea manager arrived at Old Trafford, where Villas-Boas' team were beaten 3-1 by Manchester United in September. The match was best remebered for a horrible miss by Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, who fired wide from six-yards out with the goal gaping.
First defeat —
His first defeat as Chelsea manager arrived at Old Trafford, where Villas-Boas' team were beaten 3-1 by Manchester United in September. The match was best remebered for a horrible miss by Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, who fired wide from six-yards out with the goal gaping.
After a defeat away to local rivals Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea were beaten 5-3 at Stamford Bridge by fellow London club Arsenal in October. Dutch striker Robin van Persie sealed Arsenal's win with his second goal late in the match.
Vanquished by Van Persie —
After a defeat away to local rivals Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea were beaten 5-3 at Stamford Bridge by fellow London club Arsenal in October. Dutch striker Robin van Persie sealed Arsenal's win with his second goal late in the match.
Despite their stuttering form, Chelsea became the first team to inflict a Premier League defeat on Manchester City this season. Frank Lampard, who started December's match on the bench, earned a 2-1 win for Chelsea with a late penalty.
City slickers —
Despite their stuttering form, Chelsea became the first team to inflict a Premier League defeat on Manchester City this season. Frank Lampard, who started December's match on the bench, earned a 2-1 win for Chelsea with a late penalty.
Chelsea looked set for another Stamford Bridge win over one of the Manchester clubs when they took a 3-0 lead against reigning champions United with just 40 minutes left. But United fought back, with Javier Hernandez scoring the equalizer to earn Alex Ferguson's team a 3-3 draw in February.
Three-goal lead thrown away —
Chelsea looked set for another Stamford Bridge win over one of the Manchester clubs when they took a 3-0 lead against reigning champions United with just 40 minutes left. But United fought back, with Javier Hernandez scoring the equalizer to earn Alex Ferguson's team a 3-3 draw in February.
Villas-Boas raised eyebrows with his team selection for Chelsea's European Champions League clash with Italian side Napoli last month. He chose to leave out the experienced trio of Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien for the last 16 first-leg match, a decision which backfired as Chelsea lost 3-1. The second leg of the tie is next week.
Nightmare in Naples —
Villas-Boas raised eyebrows with his team selection for Chelsea's European Champions League clash with Italian side Napoli last month. He chose to leave out the experienced trio of Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien for the last 16 first-leg match, a decision which backfired as Chelsea lost 3-1. The second leg of the tie is next week.
Saturday's 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion was the final straw for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Gareth McAuley's late winner inflicted a seventh league defeat of the season on Chelsea, who are currently fifth in the table and outside of the Champions League qualifying positions.
The final straw —
Saturday's 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion was the final straw for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Gareth McAuley's late winner inflicted a seventh league defeat of the season on Chelsea, who are currently fifth in the table and outside of the Champions League qualifying positions.