Sunday 3 March 2013

Rafael Benitez refuses to allow boo boys to derail Chelsea’s season

Rafael Benitez says he was pleased with the reaction of Chelsea fans against West Brom (Picture: Reuters)
Rafael Benitez says he was pleased with the reaction of Chelsea fans against West Brom (Picture: Reuters)

Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez brushed off the boos aimed at him by hostile home fans during Saturday’s win over West Bromwich Albion and instead turned his attention to Europa League progress.

Demba Ba's 28th-minute winner against West Brom ensured the week ended on a happy note for the Spaniard, following his outburst at the club's board and supporters.

Benitez insists he is focused only on Thursday's game at Steaua Bucharest and has not begun to prepare for the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United next Sunday.

'One game at a time – we have to go to Bucharest before we can concentrate on this [the United] game,' he said.

'Both games are important, but one is just one game and one is two legs.'

Chelsea fans displayed more banners in their protests against Rafael Benitez (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea fans displayed more banners in their protests against Rafael Benitez (Picture: Getty)

Benitez would not be drawn on the future after chants for former boss Jose Mourinho, who has been linked with a return, echoed around Stamford Bridge.

'I'm really pleased after winning, without thinking what will happen in the future,' he said. 'We had to produce a good game, we did it. The players enjoyed it, the fans were behind the team.

'Everything was positive. What will happen in the next week, I don't know.'

The Old Trafford fixture is sandwiched between the Europa League last-16 legs with Steaua and Benitez said he will have to use all his squad to cope with the three games in such a short space of time.

'We have to manage the squad,' said Benitez

'You need fresh legs [to cope with the number of games]. We have to decide, that's it.'

Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League Chelsea's English midfielder Frank Lampa Chelsea's manager Benitez reacts during their English Premier League soccer match against West Bromwich Albion in London Chelsea's Oscar shoots during their English Premier League soccer match against West Bromwich Albion in London Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League Chelsea's French-born Senegalese striker Chelsea vs West Brom Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Oscar (L) Chelsea's Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech mak Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League Chelsea vs West Brom Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion - Barclays Premier League
~Metro » Football | Metro UK~
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