What do we now know about the Mourinho-less Chelsea?

Avram Grant's first game in charge of Chelsea ended in a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United. John Obi Mikel was sent off for, according to the referee Mike Dean, a two-footed tackle on Patrice Evra, Carlos Tevez headed home in first-half injury time and Louis Saha scored a penalty after tumbling to the Old Trafford turf following - at best - minimal contact in the penalty area.
Grant was forced to re-organise his team once Mikel went off, but did he make the right decisions? Jose Mourinho would probably have attempted to use the highly-debatable red card decision to his advantage, putting pressure on the referee to make marginal decisions in Chelsea's favour. In his three years at Stamford Bridge, he would draw the attention of officials, supporters and television cameras to get his point across but Grant wasn't as demonstrative.
One clear sign of change was in Grant's selections: Claude Makelele, Andriy Shevchenko and Paulo Ferreira were all picked, even though Mourinho had only given each of them one start in his six Premier League games in charge this season. Shaun Wright-Phillips was also left on the bench after a run of six league starts. So who picked the team, Grant or Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich? And is it even fair to judge him on the basis of a match in which Chelsea were on the end of some very dubious refereeing decisions?
The turmoil of the past week is sure to have affected the players, but did it have an impact upon today's performance. And ultimately, with United three points clear of them, and Arsenal five - with a game in hand - can they still challenge for the Premier League trophy this season?

Champions League - Ballack axed from Chelsea squad

Michael Ballack's Chelsea future is in serious doubt after the Germany captain was left out of the squad for the Champions League group stage.

Mourinho expects more upsets

The Stamford Bridge club blamed a persistent ankle injury for the decision, but Ballack is expected to return to action next month - time enough to play in at least three group games, with Chelsea's final game against Valencia on 11th December.

The 30-year-old will be particularly dismayed that he was left out despite Chelsea's decision to only register 23 players when they are entitled to name 25.
Ballack has not played since April and underwent surgery at the end of last season, reportedly angering Jose Mourinho by doing so without the club's consent.
His omission means he would be eligible to play in the Champions League for his new side if he were to leave the club in January.

"We can confirm Michael Ballack has not been included on the list for the group phase," the club said.
"Unfortunately Michael's current injury meant, at the time of the squad submission deadline, we could not guarantee his availability for the majority of the group phase games.

"Naturally we hope Michael's recovery is as quick as possible."
Six players capable of playing in central midfield were named by Mourinho: Claude Makelele, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Steve Sidwell, Jospeh Cole and John Obi Mikel.
There is better news for Andriy Shevchenko, Ballack's fellow big-name Chelsea signing in summer 2006, who features in the list despite not having played for the club this season.
Chelsea have been drawn with Spain's Valencia, Schalke of Germany and Norwegians Rosenborg in Group B.Alex Chick / Eurosport