JOSE UPS THE HEAT

Spanish keeper Kepa refuse to be substituted.

Kepa is facing a backlash from team-mates who have also shown sympathy for sub keeper Willy Caballero in the row which has divided football.

Under-pressure Sarri gave Kepa a dressing-room rollocking after the game. But in public he backed him and is likely to stick by him as his No.1. It is understood that the keeper will not face internal disciplinary action.

Sarri accused Kepa of openly disobeying him and shouted: “How could you do this?” Antonio Rudiger (above) stepped in to try to calm the angry manager.

But Mourinho, who was undermined by player power in his second spell as

Chelsea manager, has turned up the heat on Sarri by claiming his position has been weakened. Mourinho, who revealed he had turned down a lucrative job offer since leaving Manchester United in December and wants to work at a club with the ‘right structure’, told DAZN: “The goalkeeper wants to show personality, confidence – and I like that.

“But then I don’t really like that he leaves the manager in a very fragile situation.”

Sarri has taken the unusual step of ordering the players to stay in a hotel before the Tottenham game tomorrow, changing the usual practice of allowing them to sleep at home. The players will revert to the old routine that was in place under Antonio Conte

(above) when they stayed at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel the night before home games.

Sarri, previously seen as relaxed, is is clearly trying to reassert his authority.