Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and chief executive Peter Kenyon both were quick to visit the players' dressing room after victory at Hull City.

The move was a clear sign to the Chelsea players that Grant has their backing. They spent nearly 20 minutes in the dressing-room area, and Buck said: "We wanted to offer our congratulations. It is a happier dressing room - of course it is. That is no surprise."

Asked if he had gone down to offer Grant and the players his congratulations, a beaming Kenyon said: "Of course".