17/09/2000  Chelsea 0 Leicester 2
 
And not only were Chelsea in disarray on the pitch, where team-mates Jimmy 
Floyd Hasselbaink and Christian Panucci were also involved in a furious row, but 
there was continued dissent from the stands as well.

For the second game since the sacking of Gianluca Vialli, the team were booed 
off at the end and the Italian's name was also chanted by some fans who have 
grown all too accustomed to success.

The caretaker management team of Graham Rix and Ray Wilkins were even taunted 
with cries of 'you don't know what you're doing' after taking off Hasselbaink 
instead of Tore Andre Flo.

And amid an incompetent performance by players who must take their share of 
responsibility for Vialli's sacking, what on earth must Ranieri have been left 
thinking in the stands?

At least for his own immediate future, the Italian was not responsible for 
either Chelsea's tactics or team selection against a Leicester side who deserved 
their win and are now equal on points with leaders Manchester United.

However, the depressing scale of the job ahead of him must have become 
abundantly clear as first former Chelsea midfielder Muzzy Izzet gave the 
visitors an early lead and then substitute Stan Collymore scored a late second.

While the Blues now stand only just ahead of the relegation zone, Ranieri must 
have been wondering which team was supposed to be among the elite of English 
football.

For Leicester are again confounding all the sceptics under the canny eye of 
new boss Peter Taylor.

And they are in many ways the antithesis of Chelsea - an unassuming, friendly 
club built on hard work, few egos, dressing-room unity and consistency.

Ranieri meanwhile finds himself plunged straight into the deep end with a trip 
to Manchester United next weekend and Chelsea chairman Ken Bates will be hoping 
for an immediate transformation.

For Bates effectively insisted that Vialli had taken the club as far as 
possible, claiming that he had acted because the team were "sliding" and 
heading towards "decay".

He may indeed be right but whether it was Vialli or the players to blame 
remains to be seen.

Leicester are something of a bogey side for the Blues having come back from 
2-0 down late on two years ago and drawing here last season, when Bates 
lambasted as "the worst Chelsea display for many a year".

However, he may have had to update that view after watching this game.

With Frank Leboeuf out injured and Winston Bogarde therefore making his debut, 
the Blues were a disorganised rabble early on, with passes going astray, little 
width, final balls being routinely wasted and scant communication.

They deservedly went behind after just seven minutes when Neil Lennon whipped 
in a cross from the right flank and Izzet nipped in between the static figures 
of Bogarde and Marcel Desailly to head home.

With Robbie Savage keeping a close check on Gianfranco Zola, Chelsea were 
clearly unsettled and captain Wise became embroiled in an unseemly scuffle with 
Izzet that led to both players being booked.

Even more amazing though was the sight of Hasselbaink storming back down the 
pitch during the stoppage and furiously shouting at team-mate Panucci before 
throwing the ball away.

The Dutchman's anger had clearly not subsided and when he returned to continue 
the argument with the Italian shortly afterwards, new signing Bogarde having to 
restrain him.

Chelsea did start to win more possession but they were immediately giving the 
ball away again and Hasselbaink, and di Matteo wasted the handful of 
half-chances that came their way.

Both Hasselbaink and Jody Morris were booked as tempers continued to remain 
frayed and Leicester were able to impose themselves upon the game.

Chelsea did manage to energise themselves for the second-half but there then 
followed another depressing example of one of their recent inadequacies - 
wasting chances.

Flo produced an excellent flick and turn but then volleyed weakly at keeper 
Flowers, who also dived to deflect a long-range drive by di Matteo around the 
post with his outstretched hand.

Chelsea's possession markedly increased and the Blues became encamped in the 
opposition half as Leicester's five-man midfield were left to harry and chase 
them while their defensive trio stood firm behind them.

Still the chances came and went as Zola found Graeme Le Saux on the overlap 
and Hasselbaink met his cross at the far post only to thud his header against 
the bar, while Flo was unable to capitalise on the rebound.

Leicester's main threats were reserved for the counter-attack, with Darren 
Eadie particularly impressing, and Matt Elliott headed a cross by Steve Guppy 
narrowly wide.

Collymore and fellow substitute Richard Cresswell both missed chances before 
the former Aston Villa striker finally put Leicester 2-0 ahead on 81 minutes as 
he arrived unmarked to convert Guppy's cross.

The stands duly started to empty even before the final whistle and the 
frustrated boos came as the match ended.

Ranieri had told fans on his arrival that he did not want to promise them too 
much or guarantee that he would bring them the title.

On this display at least, it is easy to see why. New manager, same old 
Chelsea.