In Pictures: The highs & lows of Andre Villas-Boas' reign as Chelsea manager

Following his sacking as Blues manager on Sunday, Goal.com takes a look at the ex-Porto boss' defining moments at the Stamford Bridge helm

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Even the biggest supporter of Andre Villas-Boas will admit that his tenure as Chelsea manager had not been going according to plan.

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On Sunday, the club’s hierarchy decided to sack the ex-Porto boss after their latest defeat to West Brom left them struggling in their attempts to finish in the top four.

With Champions League elimination also looking likely, the long-term Villas-Boas project has not been given the chance to really get started, with poor results in his debut season and disputes with senior players proving enough for Roman Abramovich to pull the trigger on a head coach yet again.

According to the club, Roberto Di Matteo will replace Villas-Boas on an interim basis until the end of the season, with heavy speculation already under way over who will be the permanent replacement come the summer.

It has certainly been a dramatic time at Stamford Bridge since Villas-Boas’ appointment in June of last year. Goal.com relives the key moments of the latest chapter in Chelsea’s history.

Appointed | After winning the treble with Porto, he arrives at Chelsea in June 2011

Summer signings | AVB's biggest capture is Juan Mata in a £23.5m move from Valencia

Denied | But the Portuguese boss misses out on his top transfer target - Luka Modric

Steady start | His first game in charge is a 0-0 draw away at Stoke City

Four straight wins | Morale is high at Stamford Bridge as the season starts well

Is Robin van Persie in the same bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?

The Arsenal captain has been in majestic form this season, netting 25 Premier League goals so far, but is he as good as Barcelona and Real Madrid's goalscoring machines?

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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie scored twice in the last-gasp 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday to take his Premier League tally to an incredible 25 goals already for the season.
His outstanding goalscoring form this campaign has seen him compared to the likes of La Liga stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

But with talks over a new deal at the Emirates currently on hold until the end of the season, questions are already being asked over whether the club will be able to keep hold of their talisman.

Villas-Boas sacked by Chelsea

The Portuguese has been dismissed after Saturday's disappointing 1-0 defeat to West Brom, with Roberto Di Matteo placed in charge for the rest of the season

Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked by Chelsea, the club have confirmed.

The former Porto boss has been dismissed after the Blues slumped to a lacklustre 1-0 defeat to West Brom on Saturday. They currently lie in fifth place in the Premier League, three points behind Arsenal in the race for a top four finish.
Assistant manager Roberto Di Matteo will take charge of the first team on an interim basis until the end of the season.