Mourinho's absence was explained as a 'club decision' which had 'the backing of all his staff' but it only served to heighten speculation over his Stamford Bridge future.

The latest name in the frame to replace Mourinho in the summer is former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann and clearly the Chelsea boss is more concerned with keeping his thoughts to himself at present.

It also might have had more to do with the hostile reception Chelsea received from West Ham supporters ahead of his side's 4-1 win at Upton Park.

A missile, thought to be a brick, cracked a side window in the team coach as it arrived at the ground.

But a Chelsea spokesman said: "It was a rock of some sort and it cracked a window of the coach. But none of the players were injured and none of them were sat by the window that was hit."

A silent Mourinho left the talking to his players, who demolished West Ham with two goals from Shaun Wright-Phillips and others from Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba - his 31st of the season.

Carlos Tevez had briefly hauled West Ham level but Wright-Phillips restored Chelsea's lead within 31 seconds.

Two-goal hero Wright-Phillips has struggled to make an impact since his move from Manchester City but paid tribute to the support he's received from his team-mates.

Wright-Phillips told Sky Sports: "The feeling is really indescribable but I have got to put it out to the lads, they have believed in me since the start and that makes it easier.

"It is only normal the more games you play the better you get and it is starting to come through as I wanted.

"We knew what we had to do. We are behind United and we have to win every game to put them under pressure.

"It was another bridge to cross and the determination is unbelievable."

Midfielder Frank Lampard was also quick to hail the performance of Wright-Phillips.

Lampard added: "In the first half they had a right go but the quality of our football at times, and once we got three and four, it was game over.

"Credit to Wrighty, they were unbelievable goals. We felt confident at 2-1 but we knew if we gave them a goal and they got their heads up they are a dangerous team, they always are."

Lampard was booed every time he touched the ball but had the last laugh on his old club by setting up two of their four goals.

Lampard, who left the Hammers for Chelsea almost six years ago, said: "It inspires me. It doesn't bother me, I enjoy it. It was a bit of banter and there are no hard feelings."

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley admits his side must win three our of their next four games if they are to give themselves a chance of escaping relegation.

West Ham face Everton and Bolton at home and Wigan away before they meet Manchester United in the final game of the season.

Curbishley said: "We've got four games to go and winning three would give us 38 points.

"That would give us a chance. Everyone knows we've got Manchester United in the last game but we have got to get wins against Everton and Bolton and at Wigan - 38 points would give us some sort of chance."

Curbishley knows it will be a tall order for his side.

He added: "We lost out at vital moments of the game. We had good opportunities to get back into the game and they weren't taken - you pay the price when you play these sort of clubs.

"But we conceded so quickly and were celebrating in the corner while Chelsea were waiting to kick off. It's happened before where we've scored and within a minute back level.

"I thought 4-1 was a bit harsh but the big games are when you play teams around you and we've come out second best against Watford and Charlton.

"They are the big games when you are in the position we are in. We've not done enough in these games."