Dugout Blues: Fulham vs. QPR derby, featuring ex-Chelsea players as the two managers

LONDON CALLING

Saturday saw two former Chelsea teammates face off in the Championship as Slavisa Jokanovic (who played 39 games for Chelsea between 2000 and 2002) traveled to Loftus Road with Fulham to face QPR - led by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (who netted 70 goals in 136 appearances with the Blues between 2000 and 2004).

Despite Hasselbaink's Chelsea tenure being far more notable than Jokanovic's, it was the Serb who would prove the better man(ager) on this day. Goals from Moussa Dembele, Ross McCormack and Tom Cairney were enough to see off the Hoops, whose only goal came from Tjaronn Cherry in the 91^st minute. The 3-1 victory was Jokanovic's first win as Fulham manager.

The Cottagers, who smothered QPR from whistle to whistle, played their best football under Jokanovic. "After a month of them suffering, I am happy for our supporters," Jokanovic told The Guardian after the game.

QPR fans were understandably disappointed with their team and many booed at the half-time whistle. Hasselbaink was equally unimpressed, slamming the performance in front the media and calling it unacceptable.

The win takes Fulham (who drew 1-1 with Derby* the week before) to 18^th place in the table, 6 points away from the relegation zone.

The heavy home defeat added another blow to QPR's promotion hopes. Rangers now find themselves stuck at 14^th (despite a 1-0 win over Ipswich a week earlier), 12 points from a play-off spot.

*Ed. note: incidentally, that 1-1 was former Chelsea assistant Paul Clement's final game in charge of Derby County.  His sacking was met with universal derision and disapproval.  On the other hand, he might now be available to reunite at Bayern Munich with former boss Carlo Ancelotti, with whom he had conquered England (Chelsea), France (PSG), and Europe (Real Madrid).

ELSEWHERE

Gus Poyet's legend continues to grow in Athens. Yesterday AEK defeated their most bitter of rivals, Olympiakos, 1-0 at home. It was the first time Olympiakos had lost all season. The match itself was a fiery affair that saw two men sent off for Olympiakos and one for AEK. Poyet suffered his first defeat (1-0 vs Atromitos) on the 7^th. His team sit comfortably in 2^nd place, 16 points behind Olympiakos.

Dan Petrescu's Jiangsu Suning continues to make waves in China, as well as world football. This time for their capture of Chelsea and Liverpool target Alex Teixeira on transfer from Shaktar Donetsk for close to £40million. In friendly games Jiangsu lost 3-0 to Rostov on February 2^nd and beat Anzhi Makhachkala 2-0 on the 3^rd (in which new-boy Ramires scored).

In Qatar Gianfranco Zola and Al Arabi are 4^th in the league, 4 points out of an Asia Champions League berth. Al Arabi beat Al-Gharafa 3-2 away on February 5^th and beat Lekwiya 1-0 at home on the 12^th.

Things are going from bad to worse for Hernan Crespo, whose Modena side drew 0-0 with Cesana on the 7^th and lost 2-1 to Lanciano on the 13^th. Modena is now in the relegation zone (20^th in Serie B).  Crespo did find time to fire a pot-shot at Gary Neville, seeing the former pundit's struggles in management as a bit of cosmic justice.

Frank Sinclair's Hednesford Town are also in 20^th place. The National League North side lost 2-0 at home to Gainsborough Trinity on the 13^th.

Barnton FC lost 1-0 to Hanley Town on the 13^th.  The game saw player-manager Leon Knight substitute himself onto the field late on only to be sent off for seemingly stomping on an opposing player.

In India there is still no news if Nicolas Anelka will be returning to manage Mumbai FC. It seems unlikely at this stage.