Mourinho gets Abramovich backing

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho still retains the support of Blues owner Roman Abramovich and his position is not under immediate threat. The Blues lost at Stoke last Saturday with Mourinho absent as he served a one-game stadium ban.

The defeat was Chelsea's seventh in 12 Premier League games and leaves them three points above the relegation zone in 16th place. Mourinho's side face Norwich at Stamford Bridge on November 21.

The last time Chelsea lost seven of their opening 12 games in a top-flight season was in 1978-79 when they were relegated. Mourinho, who signed a new four-year contract in August, thanked Abramovich for his support in October following a defeat at home by Southampton.

However, since then, Chelsea have continued to struggle as they have lost three of their four top flight games and been knocked out of the League Cup on penalties, also at Stoke.

Mourinho, who has said the club will have to sack him if they want to get rid of him as he will not resign, has also had his own disciplinary problems