Home Truths

There are lessons to be learned from the Battle of Stamford Bridge, but if past form is anything to go by, it is unlikely that Mourinho and his men will even admit to them, much less benefit from them.

To begin with, they faced a young and relatively inexperienced Arsenal side deprived of the services of four world class players – Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Kolo Toure and Tomas Rosicky – and yet they blew it.

In the process, they resorted to diving, simulation and formation haranguing of the officials whenever a decision was given against them – shameful and demeaning tactics which cannot be justified by a club which has aspirations to be recognised as the best in the world.

Equally disturbing is the number of expensive failures on view. Shevchenko was unstinting in his efforts but achieved embarrassingly little and left the field with a look of profound sadness etched on his features. Ballack continued to cruise the pitch in his comfortable role of luxury midfielder. Lampard, master of the square and reverse pass, has added ritual snarling to his repertoire (though he frightens no-one). Drogba has tarnished his wonderful achievements this season by reverting to his earlier habit of diving ostentatiously and rolling around in mock agony, even when challenged by little Cesc Fabregas. And when poor Shaun Wright Phillips was eventually allowed onto the pitch, he failed dismally.

For all their tedious posturing, the truth is that, given their monumental resources, Chelsea and their manager are under-achieving on a massive scale, but unfortunately it appears that their arrogance is such that they are stubbornly resolved not to acknowledge the fact, at least in public.