Eto'o 13-14 (h)

After a disappointing 2012-2013 season (albeit one that ended in success in the Europa League), the return of legendary manager Jose Mourinho gave the club a real boost and cause for optimism for the following year. However, having failed to replace Didier Drogba with a worthy successor, it was obvious that a new striker was needed, though this was easier said than done though!

Having failed to land Wayne Rooney from a recently Alex Fergusonless Manchester United, Mourinho turned to a striker he knew well from Inter Milan, in Samuel Eto'o.

Eto'o played an important role during the season as both Fernando Torres and Demba Ba failed impress. By the middle of the season it looked like he had cemented his place as the first choice striker scoring goals against Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal. However, his most important contribution came against Manchester United where he scored a hattrick - only the fourth player to do so against them in the Premier League era.

His goal against Tottenham was where he produced the "old man" celebration after Mourinho's comments on his strikers were captured and broadcast by an undercover reporter.

As the season entered March and April, Eto'o stopped scoring as frequently and Mourinho opted for Demba Ba as the main striker for the remainder of the season.

With the arrival of Diego Costa the following season, Eto'o departed having scored 12 goals in 26 starts. Remarkably all of his goals had come in home games!

The failure to replace Drogba for a second season running was perhaps the ultimate reason the title was not won upon Mourinho's return. Chelsea led the league in March and this continued into April despite defeats at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.With 5 games to go Chelsea were still top (although both Man City and Liverpool had games in hand), but a defeat to Sunderland and draw with Norwich, both at home, meant they finished the season empty handed.