The clock above his goal said 10.30pm when Petr Cech was finally beaten. Just as Stamford Bridge it was Mohamed Salah who did it, racing clear behind Branislav Ivanovic to clip a shot over the diving goalkeeper.
It was harsh on Cech but Basle had been the better team in St Jakob-Park and deserved the win given to them four minutes from time.
The defeat will not live long in the memory. In fact, like Jose Mourinho's new haircut, the best thing that can be said is that in two months it will probably be forgotten.
At the death: Mohamed Salah netted against a poor Chelsea side to boost Basle's qualification hopes
Heads down: But Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry and John Obi Mikel (left-right) are still through
Not good enough: Terry and his Chelsea team-mates look dejected after being consigned to defeat
In 24 European games since, Chelsea have not failed to score - until Tuesday night in Switzerland - but this shut-out in sub-zero conditions was enough to send them through to the next round of the Champions League with a game to spare.
The Europa League will not be back at Stamford Bridge this season and the first part of Mourinho's plan is complete, although there remains plenty for him to work on.
Samuel Eto'o was carried off injured in the first half and for long periods, particularly the opening half-hour, Chelsea were second best to Basle and but for a wonderful first-half display by Cech, who repelled the Swiss champions, they could have lost by more.
Duel: Chelsea playmaker Willian (right) tries to win the ball from Basel's Swiss defender Kay Voser
Up, up and away: Chelsea's Gary Cahill (right) jumps for the ball with Basel midfielder Fabian Frei
Mourinho
appeared irritated by what he saw, a few days after an accomplished
performance at West Ham. Perhaps that victory owed as much to the
quality of the opposition.Basle, as they proved in September when they won at the Bridge, can be a very good team. Although how they failed to win in two games against Steaua Bucharest is a mystery and one Chelsea can be thankful for.
Mourinho made only one change to the team which won easily at Upton Park on Saturday but they were immediately on the defensive against the Swiss champions, roared on by a crowd determined to generate enough noise to keep warm on a freezing night.
Tussle: Cesar Azpilicueta (right) aims to divert the ball away from an onrushing Mohamed Salah
Knock: Samuel Eto'o lies on the pitch injured before being taken off on a stretcher
Basle
fans bounced and drummed and sang as their team forced six corners in
little more than the opening quarter of an hour and tested Cech in the
Chelsea goal.Cech was forced into an early save at his near post from an in-swinging free-kick whipped low through a crowd of legs by Taulant Xhaka.
He pushed a low shot aside from Fabian Frei, tipped another over from Mohamed Salah and John Mikel Obi hooked clear from under his own crossbar after Ivan Ivanov headed a corner towards goal.
There was a big penalty appeal against Frank Lampard when the ball sprang up on to his hand, ignored by referee Stephane Lannoy, before Cech's best save of this opening spell of Basle pressure, a reaction stop to deny Salah with a strong left hand to claw the ball over.
Jump around: Chelsea's John Obi Mikel (right) and Basel's Fabian Frei battle for the ball in an aerial challenge
On his knees: Chelsea midfielder Ramires falls in front of Basle's Serey Die in a challenge
Cesar
Azpilicueta, again preferred ahead of Ashley Cole at left back perhaps
with a view to matching Salah's electric pace, found that this was a far
greater test of his defensive capabilities.Mourinho threw his hands down in exasperation on the touchline as his side failed to keep the ball, making simple passing errors, which stopped them relieving pressure on their own goal. Playing in a 4-3-3 shape, they could not get Oscar on the ball as often as they would have liked.
In the opening half-hour, all there was for the small pocket of Chelsea supporters to get excited about was barrelling over-lap by Ivanovic and a splendid cross which only evaded Eto'o by a matter of inches.
When Willian seemed to have picked out Eto'o with a deep cross, out came goalkeeper Yann Sommer and plucked the ball from the air.
Willian was more influential than Oscar in the first half, especially when he came inside from the left. Chelsea were starting to find their rhythm as half-time approached but Eto'o was carried off after collecting an injury as he ran for the ball.
On came Fernando Torres for his first appearance since a groin injury.
Stetch it out: Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (left) fights for the ball against Valentin Stocker
Wrapped up: Blues boss Jose Mourinho grows frustrated at his side's poor attacking efforts
Torres
has endured a stop-start season with injuries and suspension and
flickers of his best form amid more familiar frustrations. Here was a
chance to remind everyone he is the main centre-forward but he looked
like a striker who had not played for three weeks. His touch was untidy
and he did not link up well, even though Chelsea were able to exert more
control when they reappeared after the break.They slowed the tempo which did not help Basle's attacking intentions and kept the ball better than they had been able to do in the first half.
Mourinho had clearly had his say. The Chelsea boss cannot have been happy with the first half and set off to walk down the touchline to the tunnel, long before the referee had blown his half-time whistle.
Pressure on: Chelsea's John Terry (left) and Basle's Mohamed Salah battle for the ball
Ride the tackle: Eden Hazard (centre) escapes a challenge from Basle's Fabian Schaer (left)
Still Basle, seemed the most likely to open the scoring, and John Terry, who moved equal fourth with John Hollins on 592nd games for the club, blocked a dangerous break by the Swiss on the edge of the penalty area.
But Hazard offered extra pace and energy in attack and started to ruffle the home team.
However, it was Basle who kicked on at the finish to win the game.
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