City fans shame Maine Road

Hasselbaink was the lone voice from the visiting camp following the win over Manchester City, with Italian manager Claudio Ranieri refusing to face the media, despite having shown on Friday that he is capable of giving an interview in English.

Chelsea were off and running well before the last of the hooligans who shamed City had made their way off a pitch scarred by the removal of chunks of turf, including the centre spot.

City are certain to face an FA inquiry for what an imploring announcer over the public address system condemned as 'appalling behaviour', with attacks on police horses as well as a pocket of Chelsea fans.

Club spokesman Chris Bird said: 'There were six arrests, but 2,000 fans encroached on to the pitch so it was only a small minority who acted in a disorderly manner, but we will come down hard on anyone seen to have acted in this way.'

What a contrast to the scene before the kick- off when the club, already relegated, saluted the followers, who can only now claim loyalty as a redeeming feature, with a long streamer of a banner declaring: 'The best fans in the land - in all the world'.

Hasselbaink, like so many around the dressing-room area, were unaware of just how ugly it became. In any case his concern was with his own side, whose only title following his arrival for £15million last summer is that of underachievers of the season.

'I'm disappointed that we finished sixth. We played at the beginning of the season for the first or first three spots,' said Hasselbaink, the Dutchman whose 23 Premiership goals played the biggest part in earning Chelsea's UEFA Cup spot.

'We are disappointed that we didn't battle with Manchester United. But we are in the UEFA Cup and we are going on holiday now and will try to enjoy ourselves. Then we will come back and try to win something next season.

'Of course, I am happy to finish top scorer. I would have been happier if we had won something - the FA Cup or the UEFA Cup or even competed with Manchester United.'

Chelsea's revival as a force away from Stamford Bridge came far too late to make them serious contenders for the top three and the Champions League. Indeed, over the last 11 days of the campaign, their problem of inconsistency was emphasised in the north west.

First at Anfield, they took on Liverpool, the team of the moment, drew 2-2 with two Hasselbaink specials and were unlucky not to win. The conclusion in Manchester against doomed opposition, who lost 12 of their 19 home League games, was nothing like as impressive.

Gianfranco Zola, as usual, oozed class. Hasselbaink was the matchwinner, flicking the ball superbly for Dennis Wise to hit the opener after 19 minutes, driving in the winner in the 62nd minute and brilliantly setting up Jody Morris for what should have been a killing third 15 minutes from time.

But they have a nasty streak which gets them embroiled in physical and verbal conflict when they should let their superior football do the talking.

Hasselbaink was lucky to stay on after a late challenge that cut short Jeff Whitley's match after 29 minutes.

'Jeff had a number of stitches in a nasty gash on his leg,' said City boss Joe Royle.

There is a fine line between honest competition and dirty play. Hasselbaink and some of his colleagues - plus City's Paul Dickov and some team-mates - cross it too often. But Zola is the shining example to all.

Now Chelsea need more like him and Hasselbaink - when he's keeping his sights on goal.