Mourinho even had a pop at the Leicester ballboys last night

Leicester returned to the top of the Premier League on Monday with a 2-1 victory over defending champions Chelsea, with Vardy netting his 15th goal of the season for the opener and Mahrez scoring his 11th of the campaign to seal the victory.

Vardy volleyed home Mahrez’s precise right-wing cross after 34 minutes and Algeria forward Mahrez teased Cesar Azpilicueta on the right side of the area before curling a sublime left-foot shot into the far corner three minutes after the break.

“We are disappointed because of the loss, but also because we need to play much better to win a game”, Remy said on Chelsea’s official website.

Their remarkable form has led to reported interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, but Ranieri said after the match: “No one can buy Vardy or Mahrez in January”. Players in crucial positions are not at their normal level.

Are Chelsea in a relegation battle?

“We can’t finish top four, but we can still finish top six because so many teams are dropping points”.

“If you asked me that three months ago [who would finish higher] it would be an easy question, it would be Chelsea”, Poyet told Omnisport. “They’re not going to get relegated I think if we are honest so I’m sure there’s a view from Roman Abramovich to say, ‘Hang on, let’s see what happens at the end of the season”.

The champions’ dismal defence of their title became even more desperate as they suffered a ninth league loss of the season. I am frustrated by the difference between training and matches. “I hope the board and Mr Abramovich want me to stay”.

Chelsea’s latest flop is certain to bring renewed reports that Mourinho is on the verge of being sacked, but he is determined to oversee a turnaround and urged his players to show humility as they look to change their fortunes.

Jose Mourinho has branded the Leicester ball boys “a disgrace for the Premier League” after Chelsea lost 2-1 to the Foxes.

But it was another grim night for Chelsea as Eden Hazard limped off with an injury picked up in the first half and Diego Costa sowed more discord by very publicly berating Chelsea’s defenders after the first goal.

“I don’t know when we can achieve those five points”.

Mourinho was believed to make a number of major signings during the upcoming window, but the Portuguese boss has now played down the possibility of that happening.