Bookies suspend betting on Chelsea boss getting the boot after the press conference

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte at a touchline during Chelsea defeat to Watford [Photo: Reuters]

Antonio Conte took a giant step towards the axe as Chelsea slumped to a shambolic defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road.

Manager Conte had demanded public backing from the power-brokers at Stamford Bridge – but all he got was a slapdash, half-hearted display against a struggling team who had taken only 12 points from a possible 48.