Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's week from hell concluded in a fitting manner as he suffered the misery of watching his Premier League champions comprehensively dismantled by Manchester City.
The start of Chelsea's title defence has been overshadowed by the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that saw Mourinho remove medical staff Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearn from their touchline roles after infuriating the manager by entering the Stamford Bridge playing surface to attend to Eden Hazard in the 2-2 draw with Swansea City.
From the opening seconds of City's emphatic 3-0 victory it was Chelsea who looked like a suitable case for treatment - despite Mourinho's farcical claim that the scoreline did not reflect the game.
In truth, it did not, but not in the way Mourinho thought. City could have inflicted more punishment, leaving Chelsea and their manager with much to ponder after a poor start.
Chelsea physio Steven Hughes (top right) and consultant in sport and exercise medicine Chris Hughes sat behind manager Jose Mourinho on Sunday, with first-team doctor Eva Carneiro not on the bench
Mourinho has faced heavy flak for his decision to effectively demote Carneiro and Fearn, especially from the medical profession, but also from some Chelsea fans who feel it was an over-reaction - even from a manager and personality they adore.
Such was the apparent sensitivity of the situation that the normally talkative Mourinho drew a line under questions about the subject at his pre-match media briefing, threatening to cut the news conference short if pressed on the matter.
There was almost a pantomime air to proceedings when the new medical team of Chris Hughes and Steven Hughes made their first appearance to treat the stricken Gary Cahill at Etihad Stadium, Manchester City's fans rising in a standing ovation and embellishing the mirth with the chant of "You're Getting Sacked In The Morning".
To add a macabre tone, Diego Costa then suffered a head wound as Cahill was still receiving treatment, forcing the City medics into action as Chelsea's were otherwise engaged. Where was another Chelsea doctor - or two - when you need one?
On Sunday's evidence, his medical staff are the least of Mourinho's worries and he will maintain he has acted within his authority. He will not move from that position and sees no need to offer the apology some have suggested he might.
Chelsea's performance at City was so bad that it unwittingly did the job Mourinho required, pushing the debate off the agenda and on to on-field matters.
It has, however, provided an unseemly sideshow and a distraction at a time when Mourinho must focus his full attention on a Chelsea team that is clearly out of sorts?
A BAD WEEK FOR MOURINHO
8 August: Chelsea held to a 2-2 draw by Swansea on the opening day of the season
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8 August: Jose Mourinho describes his medical staff as "naive" after treating Eden Hazard late in the Swansea game
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12 August: Mourinho urged to apologise to Dr Eva Carneiro for "publicly humiliating" her
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14 August: He confirms Carneiro and head physio Jon Fearn will not be on the sidelines against Manchester City
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16 August: Chelsea lose 3-0 to City, a result Mourinho describes as "fake"
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DELUDED OR DEFLECTING?
No-one should seriously question Jose Mourinho's judgement on football matters, but did he really believe for one second that City's 3-0 win was a "fake" result?
Did he actually think Chelsea deserved more? The truth of the matter is that a compelling case could be made for suggesting Chelsea got off lightly.
Forget a minor second-half rally. If it was not for some fine work from goalkeeper Asmir Begovic - in for the suspended Thibaut Courtois - and an uncharacteristic miss from the magnificent Sergio Aguero, Chelsea could have been five down.
If Mourinho was serious then he is utterly deluded - and that is not a claim you would make lightly. In his heart of hearts and after a time of reflection, Mourinho would have to admit Chelsea were swept aside, dismissed, by a vastly superior opponent.
If we are being generous, let's say Mourinho had decided his players had suffered enough and wanted to apply some verbal comfort.
A fake result? Only that City could have won by a lot more.
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