Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is taking an increasingly hands-on role at Stamford Bridge.

The Daily Mail says the billionaire was so dismayed at his side's capitulation against Tottenham on Sunday that he was already in the dressing room to speak to the players before many had even left the pitch.

Abramovich's decision to take a much more hands-on approach will serve only to increase the pressure on Avram Grant, chosen by the Russian to succeed double title-winning boss Jose Mourinho.

As if to emphasise that Abramovich intends to keep far closer tabs on team matters, he even stayed behind at Chelsea's training ground to watch those players not involved on Sunday, including Ashley Cole, Andriy Shevchenko and Claudio Pizarro, take on an Arsenal youth team in a practice match.

Those who played at Wembley took part in a light session yesterday having been given Monday off. Despite questions over Grant's tactics against Tottenham, there is also a feeling inside Chelsea that too many players simply did not perform on Sunday and that not all the blame should be shouldered by the manager.