Chelsea's 'Spectacular Meltdown'  (Sky Sports)

Chelsea's "catastrophic" start to the season was summed up by a "spectacular meltdown" at West Ham, The People's Steve Bates told the Sunday Supplement.

The Blues' torrid start to the campaign continued as they lost 2-1 to the Hammers - their fifth league defeat of the season - with Nemanja Matic, Jose Mourinho and first-team coach Silvino Louro all dismissed by referee Jon Moss.

Chelsea lie 15th in the Premier League after 10 games, and Bates told the Sunday Supplement panel their display at Upton Park was a perfect representation of their campaign so far.

"Even by Chelsea's standards this season, it's a spectacular meltdown," he said.

"Not just by Mourinho - his players lost their heads as well. His staff lost their cool.

"It was just one of those days where if it could go wrong for Chelsea, it did go wrong. It encapsulated their season in just a few minutes of madness before half-time.

"After the game Mourinho failed to show up for the post-match presser, for which Chelsea and he will be charged, I would imagine.

"We don't really know his thoughts at the moment, so there are more questions than answers from yesterday."

Chelsea are already 11 points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal after an incredible slump in form.

Bates believes Saturday's showing at West Ham not only shows how much Chelsea have dipped, but also that Mourinho may not end up staying the course.

"What we saw on the pitch confirmed what we already know - that Chelsea are just not the same side as they were last season," he added.

"I think a lot of people were surprised when Manchester United went from first to seventh in the first season Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't there.

"But Chelsea's demise this season is even more catastrophic, and the way Mourinho's behaving, you have to worry what the long-term future for him is.

"Let's face it, he's never been in a position like this before, certainly not in English football, where his team is no longer a dominant force.

"Chelsea looked, apart from the odd flashes, just really ordinary, and I think that's all coming from the manager."