Reflecting on a first defeat in five games, Rafael Benitez acknowledged that a quality penalty save by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart could have been the match’s turning point.
Chelsea had the chance to take the lead shortly after the interval in Sunday lunchtime’s game, but in the contest between two England players Hart saved Frank Lampard’s spot-kick. Instead it was left to Yaya Toure to opening the scoring with Carlos Tevez doubling the advantage late on, giving the home side a 2-0 win in the meeting of the Premier League’s second and third-placed sides.
‘In the first half we didn’t do well, we were giving the ball away, we were not winning second balls or switching play as we were expecting so we didn’t create too much,’ said Benitez.
‘But in the second half everything changed and we had the penalty and yes, it could have been different.
‘We didn’t do well in the first half but at half-time it was still 0-0 so we were talking about keeping the ball a bit better and showing more character, and then we had the penalty so it was a crucial moment.
‘It was a good penalty by Frank but it was a good save so it is credit to Joe Hart.’
On the decision not show Hart a card when he brought down Demba Ba for the penalty…‘
I haven’t seen the replay but it was at least a yellow card,’ claimed Benitez. ‘You can argue he [Ba] was not running in the right direction but still it was a clear chance so at least a yellow card.’
On Man City being on top in midfield in the first half…
‘It was true we were not winning balls and we were not comfortable in possession, and they are quite strong and have a good team with good players, so we knew it could be tough but still they were controlling this area so we had to change things in the second half, especially in terms of the mentality and how to approach the game.
‘The second half we were pushing and had more options but still we took the risk and they had some counter attacks that were dangerous. We are talking about the team that won the league last year so they have good players and if you make mistakes they can make you pay for them.’
On the remainder of the league season…
‘When you lose you have to be disappointed and this game was important for us because we could have been closer to Man City but we cannot give up, we have to carry on, try to win our games and get close.
‘We have to fight for the top four because Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton are close behind.’
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I am scared of what we are playin, because, we are not play to win. How can we get into top 4 at d end of the season. Infact, i blame Abramovic for bringin floop coach to the bridge
It is well
Take it or leave it, Chelsea needs to groom her defenders on how to mark players in her defence line up. We always go after opposition players in possession of ball, failing to mark potential players who balls could be passed to. Our 1st deficit goal came as a result of not marking Yaya. The same thing with the 2nd goal, Tevez was left oncovered. Our midfielders don’t fall back on time and en-masse to help during opponent’s attack. Lastly, i expected a 4-4-2 formation, as Torres Ι̥ƨ̣̣̣̇̇̇̇ very good as an assistant to a top-9. He can create a false 9. This formation wld have fortified our defence; choke the midfield; and create link with Ba. Benitez Ι̥ƨ̣̣̣̇̇̇̇ not dynamic. Mata was marked out, and he would ђανع left Hazard α̲̅nϑ introduced Osca S̶̲̥̅Ơ̴̴̴̴̴̴͡ that Mata would have space.
A dead man walking:U are a scum rafa,ūя̲̅ tactical approach †̥☺ †ђξ game c∕̴Ɩ§ poor,we dnt xpect much changes †̥☺ †ђξ team †ђα̇̇̇̊†̥ beat sparta during †ђξ week,all u nid †̥☺ change Ȋ̝̊̅ڪ torres for ba,cole for bertrand ramires in †ђξ middle wit mikel,mata hazard nd oscar or moses †ђα̇̇̇̊†̥ wuld av bin a perfect game for us,i dnt undstand ђƔ u av †̥☺ play ramires wide wen D̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣̣̣̥rε̲̣̣̣̥ are players who can play †ђα̇̇̇̊†̥ role nd u spoiled everytin by taking off hazard, mist tell u u still av †̥☺ Ĝø̲ nd learn from †ђξ best coaches or Ĝø̲ out of football nd find smtin else doing cos u av notin in †ђα̇̇̇̊†̥ barred head of yours.dnt turn chelsea †̥☺ Ѡђά̲̣̥†̥ u turned 2010 european champion(inter) †̥☺,till nao D̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣̣̣̥γ̲̣̣̥ havnt recover….pls gooooo
I think banitez should shurt his dirty mouth up,chelsea was purnish 4rm his inexperience not 4rm the players bcs that coach doesn’t know out to surptitud bcs he shouldn’t have remove mikel and harzad.so he should be quiet.
Please we need morinho back
Rapheal is not a right coach for chealsea, how can a coach remove mid field and double strike, who will load them in the front
Benitez should shot up bcus he was d one that spoil the game. In that very macth lampard was not playing anything as well as mata who is not strong enough 2 handle city’s defence so 4 him subtituting mikel and hazard is a very big mistake.
i guess he has learnt to talk. Chelsea lost the game due to his mistakes. Removing Hazard and Mikel an leaving mata on the pitch of play was a very big mistake on his part. Most annoying of all he keeps defending Torres who happened to touch the only twice from when he was brought on till the end of the game
rafa a big fool
benitex should close his dirty mouth bcos we loose d march bcos of his inexperience
abromovich shuld tarminate his contract nd call bck R.D.M or mourinho
Rafa benitez should close up his dirt mouth nd stp breaking Chelsea fan hrt how can u approach such a match wit dt kind of selection u selected lampad hv no business in dt match. nd when ur loosening u went nd remove ur mid field mikel nd harzard wht e hell are u tinkin. to do such change… .u dnt hv wht it takes to be a chelsea coach pls b/4 u turn all us to comer or hypotension patient pls I advs u to jst live Chelsea
We complain when ever we lose a match, we were not playing against a weak team, we played against a defending champion. We gave our best, though not good enough. Rafa is not the worst coach in the epl, granted his subs ar strange sometimes. But he is incharge for now, so let allow him and trust that he knows wat he is doing. I love chelsea. I accept defeat when it comes. Up blues