Marseille 1 - Chelsea 0

Last updated : 08 December 2010 By Paul Lagan

Carlo Ancelotti’s future is hanging in the balance as his charges lost their 100 per cent record in the group stages of the Champions League tonight.

A goal, nine minutes from time by Marseille left the Londoners with just one win out of the last six.

Ancelotti is looking increasingly isolated on the touchlines and frankly has no one with sufficient top-class experience to talk through the decline they are experiencing.

This defeat will do nothing to calm the anger and frustration Roman Abramovich must be experiencing.

With Spurs, Manchester United and Arsenal to come in the league in the coming weeks, December could prove to be the last month for Ancelotti as first team coach.

Chelsea put out an almost first X1 but was humbled in the Velodrome by Brandao’s smart finish.

In truth, the Londoners did not have a chance worthy of the name and Ancelotti’s attempt to use this game as a confidence booster failed miserably.

Since being humbled by mighty Sunderland at fortress Stamford Bridge 0-3 on November 14, the Double champions have a single win over euro minnows MSK Zilina to cheer up the faithful.

Quite where Ancelotti goes from here is anyone’s guess.

Since getting rid of Ray Wilkins, Ancelotti has the experience of former teacher Paul Clement and ex-girls’ U-14 coach Michael Emenalo to call upon during the hot house atmosphere that is the Premier League and Champions League football.

Chelsea did not need to win tonight as far as the group is concerned but they needed to win to assuage the internal turmoil running through the draughty corridors of SW6 and Cobham.

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said several times before the appointment of Ancelotti that Chelsea needed stability in the managerial hot seat.

But they cannot have expected that Ancelotti would be in charge of the worse run of results under Abramovich’s reign.

Up next, Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Frank Lampard won’t be back as he fails to meet his third deadline for recovery this season.

John Terry was replaced minutes before the goal.

Even Chelsea’s own website reported their continuing poor form produced an “insipid” performance in the south of France.

One of AC Milan, Inter and Roma are most likely opponents in the knockout stages and the draw which is next Friday.

By the time the Champions League resumes in February, it would be a very brave man who would bet that Italian Carlo Ancelotti will still be managing the side.

 

Marseille (4-1-4-1): Mandanda; Kabore, Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo; N'Diaye (J. Ayew 85); Remy, Cheyrou, Abriel (A. Ayew 62), Valbuena (Gonzalez 62); Brandao.
Scorers Brandao 80
Booked

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa (Van Aanholt 78), Ivanovic, Terry (c) (Bruma 71), Cole; Essien, McEachran, Ramires; Kalou, Drogba (Sturridge 61), Malouda.
Scorers
Booked

Stats

Shots on target Marseille 1 Chelsea 3
Corners Marseille 1 Chelsea 2
Fouls Marseille 13 Chelsea 6
Offside Marseille 3 Chelsea 4