On the half-time whistle, the jeers came in earnest. Chelsea were goalless, toothless and staring down the barrel of a nerve-shredding week in which their Champions League hopes would dangle by a thread.
For Maurizio Sarri, it has been that kind of season. The supporters at Stamford Bridge turned on their manager some time ago but even the sceptical locals must now cut the Italian some slack. Not that Sarri was taking his chances.
As his side wandered around the perimeter of the pitch for their lap of honour, Sarri awkwardly watched on by his dugout, studiously avoiding the potential for any further discord.