Ever since Chelsea have had Yokohama on their shirts, they’ve been pants. Tuesday’s Champions League defeat in Porto was another shambles, with the defence looking like they had never met.

The only positive was another solid performance by Willian, who made it three games on the trot that he has scored direct from a curling free kick.

It’s a welcome speciality, but it won’t be enough to sustain the Blues through an entire season.

Last weekend Chelsea looked all at sea at St James’ Park – their bogey ground – for the first 80 minutes.

The Blues’ usual excuse at Newcastle is that the match is too early in the day, and they are still trying to digest their cornflakes.

But as this game began at 5.30pm, they could not blame the cereal.

The Magpies were two-up after an hour, and Chelsea looked beaten, the defence disheartened with John Terry marooned on the subs’ bench.

Fans were already looking towards the exit when Ramires clawed one back – a veritable rocket.

Then Willian scored from a free kick, and the Blues nearly snatched victory at the death.

Unless defensive fragility can be sorted out ahead of Southampton’s visit to the Bridge at the weekend, this season will continue to embarrass.

Short of buying back Petr Cech in January – an admittedly unlikely prospect – Jose Mourinho has to rely on Asmir Begovic in goal until Christmas, as Thibaut Courtois continues his recovery from right-knee surgery following an injury in training.

The Bosnian keeper did well in Porto to keep the score to 2-1, but it is the four spaces just in front of him that are the problem.

Chelsea may be unbeaten in three league outings ahead of the clash with the Saints, but Ronald Koeman’s men will fancy their chances against the hit-and-miss Blues.

Mourinho has to find some answers to the current problems.

Perhaps cover the sponsor’s name on the shirts?