Chelsea suffered another defeat this time away ay Birmingham.
Lee Bowyer's 17th minute strike means the Blues have lost three league games out of four - a crisis if ever there was one.
Carlo Ancelotti had the advantage of opposition scout Michael Emenalo on his bench so the Nigerian could tell Ancelotti just how good his reports were.
I wonder if the reports said that the only way to score against them is to ensure the centre-backs disappear and allow a midfielder to coast on through unopposed and score.
Chelsea took the gamble on playing Alex who is in desperate need of a knee operation.
With Ancelotti apparently cocking a snook at chief executive Ron Goulay's insistance that young players be given their chance, Ancelotti decided once again to ignore the obvious talent of Jeffery Bruma to play the injured Brazilian.
But this Chelsea side still had numerous chances to score and were very unlucky on a couple of occasions through Didier Drogba.
Ancelotti, without Ray Wilkins at his side to provide crucial technical information, was bemused by the defeat.
The Italian said afterwards: "It is not good, I think that when you deserve to lose you have to lose, as against Sunderland. When you deserve to win you have to win. We didn't win because I think we were unlucky.
"I have to say nothing to my team because everyone showed good spirit, good attitude, everyone wants to win, we played good football, had a lot of chances, but we lost. It is a difficult moment but we don't have to lose confidence.
"I was really disappointed with the performance against Sunderland, but this is different, just with the result. We have to know this is football and it's important to maintain confidence in our play and our ability.
"It is difficult to explain this defeat. It is easier to explain a defeat against Arsenal, because we played a poor game, they played better but today was different. Chelsea played a fantastic game and deserved to win. We lost the player that ran in the box, Bowyer ran in the box without control and maybe there was a mistake, but just one during the game."
Chelsea are at home on Tuesday to MSK Zilina in the group stage of the Champions League.