DUCK, A GUUS:

Mutiny! Chelsea stars defy under-fire AVB as they treat Anelka to leaving do (SPORTSMAIL, 2nd January 2012)

Chelsea players furious at Nicolas Anelka being banned from the club Christmas party - as revealed by Sportsmail - organised their own celebrations for the departing French striker on Friday in defiance of Andre Villas-Boas.

Anelka, who has moved to big-spending Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua after handing in a transfer request, was overlooked for the silver service lunch at the club's Cobham training ground.

To make up for the snub, which was described by a friend of the striker as 'an insult', the rest of the Chelsea players entertained Anelka at London's renowned Chinese restaurant, China Tang. at the Dorchester Hotel.

The blatant disregard for Villas-Boas' stance is the clearest sign yet that the young Portuguese manager is struggling to keep on top of his star names.

If his team won't play for him, he's a goner.