BLACKBURN Rovers’ unwanted place in the record books for the worst 10-game start to a title defence in the Premier League era has been taken.

Chelsea’s defeat to West Ham on Saturday’s means Jose Mourinho’s class of 2015/16 have now assumed that record.

The Blues have lost half of their fixtures so far this season, winning just three times and drawing twice. It is an identical record to Rovers’ start after they won title win 20 years ago, but Chelsea’s goal difference is worse (-4) compared to Blackburn’s -2.

After winning the Premiership in the 1994/95 season, Rovers suffered a stuttering start to the following campaign, despite starting with a win at home to Queens Park Rangers.

Four defeats in five games followed, to Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United and Liverpool, before wins over Coventry City and Southampton and a draw at West Ham took them to 11 points.

No other defending champion has taken less than 11 points from their first 10 games. In 1998/99 Arsenal had 17 points, a total matched by Manchester United in 2013/14.

Rovers’ 61 points from their 38 league games as defending champions in 1995/96 does remain a low. Manchester United came close to breaking it after winning the league in 2012/13, but they finished with 64 points the following season.