Benitez hits back at boo boys
LONDON: Rafa Benitez hit back at Chelsea fans as the struggling FA Cup holders snatched a late fourth-round replay at League One Brentford on Sunday.
Fernando Torres’ 82nd-minute equaliser failed to spare Benitez another ear-bashing from angry Blues fans who chanted “You don’t know what you’re doing” at their interim boss.
But defiant Benitez said: “I guarantee that sending on Juan Mata and changing the game showed we do know what we are doing.
“It is a transition period at the club. They wanted a manager with experience and I will try to do my best.”
Yet he admitted his players had failed to follow his instructions in a dismal first half at Griffin Park.
Benitez said: “We didn’t do what we had talked about and made too many mistakes.
“We were giving the ball away in simple situations. If you don’t do well in the first minute of this kind of game the other team grow in confidence and it becomes more difficult.
“But I was really pleased with the reaction in the second half.
“The quality and character we showed was much better.”
But Brentford goal hero Harry Forrester warned Benitez that the replay holds no fears for his team.
His penalty had put the Bees 2-1 up. And Forrester said: “We weren’t scared today and we won’t be when we go to their place.
“We’ve shown we can compete against such a gifted team and we can do it again.
“Man for man Chelsea might be better than us but collectively we have the talent and the determination.” — The Sun, London