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Benitez stands firm after loss
Rafa Benitez has come out fighting after Chelsea suffered a humiliating 3-1 away defeat to West Ham, putting pressure on the interim boss.
The appointment of the Spaniard has been met with much antagonism by Chelsea fans and today's result in the London derby will have done little to win any of them over.
An early goal from Juan Mata, supplied by Fernando Torres who has had his best years in English football under Benitez's stewardship at Liverpool, had given Benitez the perfect start in the lunchtime kick-off.
However, second half goals from Carlton Cole – on in place of the injured Andy Carroll - Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga secured a memorable victory for Sam Allardyce's men at Upton Park.
But Benitez, speaking after the Premier League clash, was annoyed that the Blues could not find a killer second goal when they held a 1-0 lead.
"In the first half we could have scored two or three goals," Benítez told Sky Sports.
"You have to take your chances. Everything changed after their (first) goal. Still, we had some chances but we had to do a little bit better in the second half.
"We were losing second balls and not winning the first balls. We gave them space and the opportunity for them to go on top of us.
"The team had chances not just Fernando (Torres). When you are attacking and controlling the game like we did in the first half you have to score goals and finish the game."
The result puts added pressure on Benitez, who has endured a torrid start to his Chelsea reign, in both the results and the reaction form the Chelsea fans. Benitez is yet to win a match for the Blues.
The Blues are now 14/1 to win the Premier League and can be backed at 13/2 to defend the FA Cup, which they won under recently sacked boss Roberto Di Matteo last season.