Chelsea coach Avram Grant lost his first major power battle with his players yesterday, it has been revealed.

The Daily Mail says senior players rejected the new boss's request to travel to Hull on the day of their Carling Cup tie and instead flew from Gatwick to Humberside, as originally planned, at 7pm last night.

Under Jose Mourinho the squad travelled to away matches the night before a game and stayed in a luxury hotel.

Senior players discussed the new proposals but refused to alter their arrangements.

Instead, they followed Mourinho's plans and trained at 3.30pm before flying from Gatwick.