Why the long face, Jose? A combative Chelsea achieved their first victory of the season at the Hawthorns, despite being reduced to 10 men for the second time in three matches with John Terry’s dismissal.

But the Special One still wears an expression suggesting there’s been a death in the family.

The reason? He hates being railroaded into team-rebuilding as the transfer window creaks shut.

This time last year, he had the luxury of a pre-season when newcomers could bed in. The Blues hit the ground running, and never looked back. This season, it’s Manchester City who have had the settled start.

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Jose Mourinho is catching up, but it feels lastminute.com.

Pedro scored on his debut in the driving rain at West Brom; the triple Champions League winner finding his niche in Willian’s position, attacking down the right. Willian has shifted to the middle, job-sharing with Oscar, who is recovering from a muscle spasm.

Juan Cuadrado is surplus, and has been loaned to Juventus, with Roman Abramovich trying to forget the £23m he recently shelled out. Victor Moses is tipped to follow him out.

But there is still expected to be a late flurry of eye-watering buys, with Juve’s Paul Pogba being pursued for something nudging £70m, and Everton defender John Stones also on the wish list, despite Toffees’ resistance.

All the shenanigans means Jose is having to plan formations on the hoof, and Chelsea’s line-up against Crystal Palace at the Bridge this weekend will be fascinating, especially with the captain suspended.

The Blues, who have been drawn away to Walsall in the League Cup next month, will aim to consolidate their rediscovered winning ways against a Palace side whose lightning counter-attacks are bamboozling opponents.

Kurt Zouma will replace JT. Funnily enough, it’s something Jose had been thinking about doing anyway… reserving Terry for more sedate, chess-tournament encounters, rather than having to keep up with sprinting youngsters.