RAFA BENITEZ effectively signed his own Chelsea death warrant after declaring war on the fans who hate him and the board who appointed him.
The Spaniard's patience finally snapped as he suffered another bucketload of abuse from the travelling supporters who have made his life a misery.
But it was his astonishing broadside at the decision-makers who named him 'interim' manager which has finished him off.
For no other boss during owner Roman Abramovich's 10-year reign at Stamford Bridge has ever dared to deliver such criticism of the way the club is run.
RAFA rants at agenda of some Blues fans and his 'interim' boss title after successful cup victory at Boro
Benitez insisted he will be off at the end of the season no matter what.
But it will be a miracle if he is still in charge for Saturday's game against West Brom after his outburst.
And even taking the club through to the last eight of the FA Cup will not be enough to save his bacon now.
Benitez has been in charge for just over three months but it must already feel like a lifetime.
And all that pent-up frustration exploded last night.
The final straw came as the 1,895 Blues fans hailed the win with yet another burst of that old classic 'F*** off Benitez, you're not wanted here'.
And it seems the message has finally permeated the thickest skin in football.
At least it looks like he is going out on a win after Fernando Torres deflected Ramires' goalbound 51st-minute strike into the net off his back, before a Victor Moses tap-in from Eden Hazard's pass across goal sealed a trip to Manchester United a week on Sunday.
But those goals were soon rendered immaterial as Benitez made his way to the Riverside Press room.
Many at the club suspected the seething Spaniard had gone loco before this match even started when they saw his teamsheet.
Because among the eight changes to the side beaten at Manchester City on Sunday were Nathan Ake, Yossi Benayoun and Paulo Ferreira, all making their first Chelsea starts of the season.
For Ake, 18, it was his first senior start after one minute as a stoppage-time substitute on Boxing Day.
But his selection was trumped by Benayoun, whose last start in May 2011 was THREE managers ago.
BEATEN Boro chief: We had the better chances in game before a fortunate Blues opener
At least they had John Terry back to lead them out after Monday's training-ground row with Benitez — and this was just the sort of test the frustrated skipper needed to prove his fitness.
They also had Torres back up front, although that did not appear to be such a popular decision with the disgruntled Chelsea fans.
With only one goal in his previous 15 appearances — against League One Brentford — this was the ideal chance for the £50million Spaniard to improve his strike-rate.
But nothing is straightforward for Torres, whose body language told the tale of a man who wanted to be anywhere but Teesside last night.
Chelsea's malaise even spread to the normally dependable Petr Cech, who spilled a routine low shot from Mustapha Carayol in the 38th minute and was fortunate that Terry was on hand to hoof the loose ball clear.
Whatever Benitez said during the interval clearly had an effect and, within six minutes of the restart, his team were finally ahead.
Oscar's cross from the right was only partially cleared and though Benayoun was unable to bring the ball down for a shot, he managed to tee it up for the incoming Ramires.
The Brazilian's rising drive was probably heading for the top corner without Torres' deflection.
Seven minutes later, Torres could have got on the scoresheet himself when he got behind a square Boro back four — but his rising shot flew over with the help of a touch off keeper Jason Steele.
Moses' tap-in made that one immaterial as Chelsea secured a trouble-free passage through.
Yet even if they go on to lift the old trophy at Wembley in May, Benitez will not be there to join the Blues party.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
STAR MAN - VICTOR MOSES (Chelsea)
Chelsea: Cech 6, Ferreira 6, Ivanovic 6, Terry 7, Bertrand 6, Moses 7, Ramires 6, Oscar 6, Ake 7, Benayoun 5, Torres 5. Subs: Hazard (Benayoun 58) 7, Luiz (Moses 76) 5 Marin (Oscar 79) 5. Not used: Turnbull, Cole, Lampard, Ba.
Middlesbrough: Steele 6, Bailey 6, McManus 6, Bikey 6, Friend 6, Carayol 6, Leadbitter 6, Williams 7, Haroun 6, Main 6, McDonald 6. Subs: Hines (Bikey 36) 5, Miller (Main 62) 5, Zemmama (Carayol 73) 5. Not used: Leutwiler, Emnes, Ledesma, Smallwood.
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