Raheem Sterling cut a disconsolate figure after he lasted just five minutes on his first Premier League reunion with former club Manchester City since leaving last summer.
The Chelsea forward pulled up with a hamstring issue in the opening moments of the match at Stamford Bridge, and had to be replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Sterling had gone down at the end of the pitch where the City supporters are housed, and as he walked toward the tunnel behind the goal he was greeted warmly by the appreciative travelling fans, a very small number of whom had booed him when his name was read out before kick-off.
When Sterling got to the tunnel and pain and frustration on his face was clear to see, and he gave a slight shake of the head when questioned about how he was.
Sterling then looked downcast as he headed straight down the tunnel and into the dressing room, with manager Graham Potter opting to bring on Aubameyang for the England star.
It wasn't to be the only alteration the former Brighton boss was to have to make in the first period either, as he was to lose Christian Pulisic in the 22nd minute when the USA international also pulled up injured having tried to carry on following a John Stones challenge.
When it became clear Pulisic couldn't continue, and after a long conversation with his coaches, the Blues boss plumped for Carney Chukwuemeka as his replacement, with the 19-year-old former Aston Villa starlet emerging from the bench and taking up a role on the left of the attack.
The injuries come at a time when Chelsea are already without several first-team stars, with Edouard Mendy, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Armando Broja all missing from the matchday squad against City. Youngsters Bashir Humphreys, Omari Hutchinson and Lewis Hall were all named on the bench for the clash by Potter.
Mount was a surprise absentee from the matchday squad, and Potter discusses his injury before the match.
"He had a kick in training yesterday (Wednesday)," he said.
"It never rains but it pours, as they say. Happy New Year!
"That's just the life you have as a football manager. That affects your consistency.
"It would be nice to roll out 11 players for each game. But when you're playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, that's not going to happen. You have to adjust."
