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The Stamford Bridge pitch looked worn-out on Saturday after recent inclement weather in West London and nationally and reflected Chelsea's performance in their 0-0 draw against Hull City.
Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari needed to recruit some greater vitality and width during the January transfer window and in on-loan Inter Milan winger, Ricardo Quaresma, Chelsea have partially papered over the cracks.
But enough evidence was visible at the final whistle at 4.55pm to suggest home fans, opposition managers, players and media alike are becoming increasingly quizzical at Chelsea's apparent ineptitude in front of goal and in the final third.
Despite superior ball retention and the unquestionable ability of Scolari's midfield and attacking outlet, his players failed to break down an organised Hull City, who have already beaten Arsenal 2-1 away and drawn 2-2 at Liverpool this season.
Minorities of supporters displayed their discontent at full time against Hull and despite their apparent hypocrisies at labelling Scolari as a fool - with chants of "You don't know what you're doing", when most were in raptures at his appointment and Chelsea's early season form - the realisation that the number of skeptics over Scolari's managerial ability and his team's shortcomings are increasing, is gradually mounting pressure on the Brazilian.
Chelsea, are now fourth in the Premier League, two points behind Martin O'Neill's high-flying Aston Villa side, who have deservedly seized third place from the Blues, after securing 31 points from their last 13 unbeaten league matches. Chelsea, meanwhile, have taken just 20 from their previous 13, losing three times.
One may start to question why Chelsea are performing so badly. Relieving former manager Avram Grant from his duties at the helm seemed a wise choice, with his replacement arriving with such an acclaimed reputation internationally.
However, Scolari's success with Brazil and Portugal has gained some argument that it is easy to win with such talent, with many fewer matches and that he hasn't had sufficient experience at club level, despite the plethora of titles he has lifted in Brazil.
But despite Scolari's apparent lack of Plan B, reluctance to partner Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba up-front, his remarkably subdued persona on the pitch - with his trademark barking at rival managers, somewhat restrained this campaign - and his curious hesitance to make immediate substitutions to change his side's fortunes - unlike former boss and champion, Jose Mourinho - it is still his players who should receive a portion of the blame.
For if not for some poor Hull finishing, the Tigers might have sneaked away with a victory against an extremely disappointing Chelsea team, who despite missing Petr Cech and Ricardo Carvalho, whilst the energetic Michael Essien is still yet to return to the side from long-term injury, performed with stuttering pace and not the feverish appetite their main rivals are adopting at the top.
Four points behind Manchester United, with the Red Devils with two games in hand on Chelsea, means the Blues might as well pack up for the season and take a holiday to the Seychelles - with the majority of players seemingly already there mentally.
And with Aston Villa and Liverpool marching on beyond Scolari's team and much likelier to challenge United at the top, Chelsea must worry as to the direction of the club.
Although the hosts created good chances in the opening half with captain John Terry somehow missing an open net from three yards on three minutes, debutant Quaresma forcing a smart save from City keeper Matt Duke and Michael Ballack - making his 100th Chelsea appearance - driving a sublime free-kick on to the post, Chelsea went backwards in the second period.
Hull, who had created the odd glimmer of a chance offensively through Kevin Kilbane's header against the crossbar in the first half, defended stoutly and replicated the defensive steel which gained them an impressive point at Anfield in December, much to the frustration of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and his players then.
Defenders Andy Dawson and Ian Ashbee performed admirably and restricted Anelka to minimal opportunities and despite a lively opening, Quaresma's width was increasingly isolated after the break and meant Chelsea struggled to supply their forwards in the final third.
Whilst if the workaholic striker Craig Fagan - who had occupied Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa and Alex particularly all afternoon - had not chipped tamely against stand-in keeper Hilario and Dean Marney's impressive run, been converted in to a goal for the midfielder instead of dragging his shot agonisingly wide in the second period, Chelsea may well have been left with a barren points score and even greater frustration.
Bereft of skill and unity, this was most evident when substitute Drogba appeared non-plussed after his tame free-kick sailed wide late on, much to the bemusement of team-mates Deco and Frank Lampard, who had not been given a say in taking it.
The spirit in the Chelsea camp appears dampened and with mistakes at the back fortunate not to be punished unlike last week's defeat to Liverpool and a stale attack hampering the Londoners' title credentials, Scolari's side are desperate, rather than destructive against their opponents.
Just six league wins at home this season and three from their last nine matches, Scolari must sense his time at Stamford Bridge will be decided by whether he can succeed in Europe this season.
An often coveted holy grail for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, the Champions League is perhaps Chelsea's only conceivable hope alongside the FA Cup of salvaging his and the team's lacklustre season.
"We tried to create, but we can always work harder and we will try for the fans", said Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou after the 0-0 stalemate against Hull.
Such optimism is at least encouraging, but the reality is that Chelsea are having their worst league season since they finished fourth in the league in 2003, just before the Russian oligarch arrived at SW6.
Meanwhile, Hull manager Phil Brown was delighted after his side gained only their second point from a possible 24, their first league clean sheet since October and subsequently moved gradually clear of the relegation zone.
"We came to Chelsea not expecting to get anything and I'm very proud of our attitude", said Brown.
City and their fans will be delighted that after acquiring some fresh faces in January, that their side may be turning the corner and able to avoid the drop. Their dogged determination was something which their opponents lacked all afternoon.
Chelsea meanwhile may see Scolari survive until the summer and perhaps beyond; depending on the owner's mood.
But if Chelsea's lack of silverware and flair continues, there may be canyon-like cracks come May if present form elapses.
