Scott Parker’s dream of receiving nasty text messages from his predecessor Alan Shearer was cruelly shattered by Didier Drogba. In a game where both sides were depleted due to injuries the champions demonstrated their class by dominating the proceedings, however it took their striker supreme to come off the bench for a second time to secure their place in the Carling Cup Semi Finals.

Jose Mourinho could only watch as his expensive Ukrainian striker Shevchenko drew yet another blank. Shevchenko could find himself in the January bargain basement if he is unable to find some kind of form over the crucial Christmas period.