Capital loss and gain

Roman Abramovich might not regret his decision to sit among fans in Chelsea's old Shed End on Saturday, but it was just as well he had Eugene Tenenbaum and a small team of security guards for company.

Just as well they were there when one disgruntled fan tore off his shirt, threw it towards the pitch and expressed his displeasure with the Russian for the departure of Jose Mourinho.

It was all fairly good-natured to begin with. Abramovich smiled at a youngster who had 'Ronaldinho' printed on the back of his Chelsea shirt and shook hands with a heavyset, heavily-tattooed individual.

Then the match began and the sense of camaraderie disappeared, another dismal display from a team now lacking direction as well a decent manager leaving Abramovich vulnerable to season ticket holders who struggle to understand how their beloved Special One has been replaced by an impostor. Marco Pierre White has opened a restaurant at Stamford Bridge and Avram Grant appears as uncomfortable on the Chelsea bench as Brian Dowling looked in Hell's Kitchen.

If 'football with style' was Grant's mantra in the interview he gave to the match programme, a fourth Premier League game without scoring was what the Israeli then delivered. For Abramovich, it was all too much. He winced when Andriy Shevchenko was hooked after less than an hour for the second game in succession, burying his face in his hands. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat shortly before then when the Ukrainian's 31st birthday was marked by supporters booing their £31million record signing.

By then John Terry had already disappeared with a fractured cheekbone and, while the majority ignored the 'Bring Back Mourinho' campaigners who called for everyone to leave the ground at half-time, the situation simply worsened.

Didier Drogba was shown a second yellow card for a dangerously high challenge on Chris Baird and a spirited, well-organised Fulham side went close to becoming the first side to beat Chelsea at home in the League for more than three years.

Had Paul Konchesky and Diomansy Kamara shown more composure in the final few minutes, Grant's first home game in charge would have been a total disaster. "I said we'd win 1-0 and I was only six inches out," said a delighted Lawrie Sanchez, the visiting boss.

Chelsea avoided defeat but did not escape the wrath of supporters who sang 'Jose Mourinho' in the 86th minute and greeted the final whistle with another chorus of boos and who were as unimpressed by Grant's tactics as they were his decision to trade the tracksuit for a business suit.

Whatever he wears, he struggles to inspire, judging by his performances in his post-match press conferences anyway. He mumbles his responses to every question, so much so that even with the assistance of a microphone he is only just audible. Heaven knows what his team talks are like. The players have to be unhappy.

Mourinho, said Terry in the programme, is the 'best manager' he has 'ever worked with'. He added: "His training, preparation and tactics were outstanding and his impact on games was clear to see. But more importantly he is a good man, with good people around him."

Grant seems to be a perfectly good man, but a man horribly out of his depth. Even if he does appoint two new coaches and a scout during this month's international break, he is not going to convince Chelsea's players 'normal' is better than 'special'.

Yesterday Chelsea insisted Grant remains their manager in the long term, just as they denied reports that assistant Clarke is about to quit.

They are also intent on defending Grant — even against what they consider racist abuse. Chairman Bruce Buck said: 'We welcome all constructive points of view. But there have been a few which could be viewed as racist and anti-Semitic and that must stop immediately."

Singing 'Steve Clarke's blue and white army' with 'we hate Tottenham' at Old Trafford last month apparently falls into that category and, while that may puzzle some, Grant should not have to endure such treatment.

Abuse of a more sporting nature is sure to escalate, however, if Chelsea continue to stumble — if they follow this with another poor performance in Valencia on Wednesday. Buck said: 'Roman's decision to sit there was spontaneous. He did it when we went to Lazio as well.' Best not do so at the Mestalla.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech; Belletti, Ben Haim, Terry (Alex 46min), A Cole (Malouda 77); Makelele, Sidwell; J Cole, Shevchenko (Pizarro 54), Kalou; Drogba. Subs (not used): Cudicini, Ferreira. Booked: Drogba. Sent off: Drogba (74min).

FULHAM (4-4-2): Keller; Baird, Hughes, Bocanegra, Konchesky; Davies, Smertin (Murphy 82), Davis, Seol (Bouazza 73); Healy (Kamara 67), Dempsey. Subs (not used): Niemi, Kuqi. Booked: Davis.

Referee: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).