Who needs the Eastenders omnibus when the weekend’s best soap opera remains at Stamford Bridge? Portsmouth and Reading fans may have enjoyed most of Saturday’s goalmouth action, but the best drama was still at Chelsea.

A broken cheekbone for the captain, a red card for the star striker, a chairman sitting among his increasingly apathetic people and a new manager suffering a scattering of anti-semitic home crowd abuse.

Chelsea fans’ spirits appear utterly crushed, something Tony Jimenez predicted in a blog posted in April that was sadly predictable and wretchedly familiar.

More tellingly for Chelsea’s season, team morale is reported to be reaching a new low, with Chelsea Blog summing it up like this:

    “The spirit of the team has gone, no-one is fighting for the badge and confidence is non-existent.”

The obvious problems make a title challenge more insurmountable by the week. Should this indifferent form continue, could Chelsea ultimately even find themselves in a fight for a Champions League place with, say, a radically rejuvenated Manchester City?

Jose Mourinho refined the Alex Ferguson patented art of the siege mentality in his three years in charge but does sufficient harmony exist for Avram Grant to do the same? If not, will Roman Abramovich be back at the Shed end at the start of next season’s UEFA Cup campaign?

Padraic Halpin, London

Photo: Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich shakes hands with a supporter during their game against Fulham at Stamford Bridge, September 29, 2007. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty