Gullit punished for his conceit

CHELSEA'S match programme on Saturday spoke sorrowfully of "the addiction" that killed off last season, a painful reminder of how many league leads were squandered. Under new management, the self destructive trait remains to blight the Ruud Gullit revolution.

Whether Chelsea can kick the habit in the New Year - Liverpool on Wednesday are first to test this resolve - is open to debate.

This is because Chelsea also suffer a kind of conceit which tends to demean the opposition's goals. Gullit, in the recent past, has variously described goals conceded as "ridiculous" and "stupid", suggesting they have more to do with ill fortune than his team's own failings.

After Sheffield Wednesday produced two long shots, the second in injury time, to plunder a point, Chelsea's player manager warmed to the familiar theme. "We had the feeling all the time that we were the better side," he said. "We were hit by two goals from 30 yards. The first came out of nothing, the second also. I had no feeling they could score a goal."

Gullit's frustration was understandable. He had played immaculately at the back, and the Mark Hughes/Gianfranco Zola axis had delivered two early, beautifully crafted goals. But Chelsea's proclamation of new found defensive security after the 2-0 win at Aston Villa was decidedly premature.

Chelsea failed to recognise Wednesday's own self belief, which has now sustained them through an unbeaten 11 matches. They also failed to counter the growing threat of David Pleat's side once the strategist manager deployed Peter Atherton to shackle Zola, and made three second half substitutions in 23 minutes.

As a purist, Pleat could not disguise his admiration of Chelsea's early passing and movement: "Splendid for the game". As Wednesday's manager, he could not speak highly enough of his own team's character.

"We played very passionately in the last 15 minutes for a team chasing the game for long periods."

How Pleat deserved his trademark jig of delight after the match, when he disarmingly joked that he felt "suicidal" at the fear of "an avalanche" after Chelsea went 2-0 ahead after 23 minutes.

In his rush to reorganise, he was in the stand lift when Mark Pembridge stunningly volleyed Wednesday's first goal seconds later.

Pleat also missed a trick in his original strategy, failing to set Atherton on Zola form the start. "We had another plan," he said pausing for effect - "it didn't work".

Italy's new coach Cesare Maldini, checking on Zola, Roberto Di Matteo and a fringe candidate - Wednesday's forward Benito Carbone - enjoyed this premiership sampler before the international main course at Wembley on February 12th.

Maldini shrugged aside disappointment at not seeing Vialli, who was left on the bench. "I've known Gianluca for a lifetime," he said.

Wednesday's unfamiliarity with Zola was punished twice, the Italian tapping in his fifth goal in as many games after nine minutes and then delivering an exquisite cross for Hughes' simple header.

Pembridge served notice of Wednesday's rising threat with another volley - this time against a post - before Ivan Stefanovic advanced to deliver a crushing shot that Frode Grodas could not hold.

. Leicester boss Martin O'Neill has pledged he will not go to Nottingham Forest if Stuart Pearce, opts not to continue as caretaker manager.

O'Neill's name has been thrown forward again as a leading contender to take charge at the City Ground, where he made more than 300 appearances in the 1980s.