Rafa Rues Missed Chances

Interim manager Rafael Benitez admitted Chelsea had thrown away the chance of a victory over Southampton by failing to kill off the game when they were on top.

Chelsea led 2-0 at half-time, courtesy of goals from Demba Ba and Eden Hazard, and appeared to be cruising to a first home win since before Christmas.

But Rickie Lambert pulled Southampton back into the game with a header three minutes after coming off the bench and Jason Puncheon then secured a 2-2 draw with a brilliant volley.

“We should have won,” Benitez said.

“We didn’t take out chances when we had them. I said we would have to be more clinical and today was the same.

“We had situations where we could score. We didn’t and they broke on a counter-attack. We gave them hope they could score and they did it.

“I was talking to the team at half-time, trying to say ‘we have to score a third goal’.

“I think for us we cannot be happy drawing at home. I am disappointed.

“When you know your players and what they can do it is disappointing.

“We have to think how we can improve for the next one.”

Since their 8-0 rout of Aston Villa on December 23, Chelsea have lost at home to QPR and Swansea and now drawn with the relegation-battling Saints.

There had been no audible boos of Benitez before kick-off – but the dissent towards him was clear on the final whistle.

Benitez dismissed any concerns about the continued negative reaction to Fernando Torres, who came off the bench but missed a good chance late on to snatch the victory.

On top of their frustration at Chelsea drawing, the Stamford Bridge faithful were also taking in the news that former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was bound for Bayern Munich rather than the Kings Road.

Benitez, though, had little to say on the matter.

“It is fine for him because he decides to go there,” the Spaniard said. “No (it is not a surprise).

“My job is to get three points against Arsenal.”