‘The fans are not helping us. At the end of the season I will leave. They don’t have to worry about me.’
Rafa Benitez’s explosive post-match press conference following Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup came as a direct result of months of built-up tension between he and Blues fans.
To say Benitez, Champions League and FA Cup winner at Chelsea’s rivals Liverpool, was despised from the beginning of his Stamford Bridge reign would be an understatement.
Living in the shadow of Chelsea legend Roberto Di Matteo, who just months previously had taken the Londoners to their first ever European Cup and completed the double with an FA Cup victory, Benitez was never welcome at Stamford Bridge.
Chants, banners and protests were launched by the Chelsea faithful in opposition to his appointment, all with the same message – ‘Benitez out’.
The Spaniard went on: ‘This group of fans are not making any favourites with the team and they are singing and wasting time making their banners.
‘If they want to carry on wasting time with these things because they have an agenda, they have to take responsibility if something is wrong.
‘I think the real reason why the group of fans are not happy is because I was Liverpool manager and we played in some massive games, that’s it.’
Some have labeled Benitez’s comments as a ‘rant’ and a ‘tirade’ against the club, however from the outside looking in it seems no more than a reasonably fair assessment. Ever since I began following football, not once have I seen a manager slated so severely by his own fans before he even signed on the dotted line.
I remember the boos echoing around Stamford Bridge when he walked out for his first game in charge against Manchester City back in November. This was a huge clash against the reigning Premier League champions, yet instead of supporting their own side they were booing the man leading them. It was unheard of.
Sure, it might not have been the right appointment but Benitez didn’t appoint himself. Benitez didn’t sack Di Matteo. The fans’ anger is pointed in the wrong direction. Perhaps it’s time the Blues supporters started looking further towards the top. Billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has made the decisions, so why is criticism aimed his way so rarely, if ever, seen at Stamford Bridge?
Both Benitez and Abramovich have confirmed the former will be staying at the club until the end of the season, so expect another frosty return to the touchline against West Brom at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Elsewhere, Arsenal travels to Tottenham for one of the biggest North London derbies in recent memory on Sunday. Tottenham is led by the sensational Gareth Bale, whose two brilliant goals against West Ham on Monday night put him in the box seat to snatch his second PFA Player of the Season award.
The Welshman is in immaculate form. He simply can do no wrong. His last-gasp 30-yard winner against the Hammers consolidated Tottenham’s position inside the top three, leaving the aforementioned Chelsea dangerously close to exiting the Champions League places.
Meanwhile Arsenal, due to Chelsea’s recent poor form, is now only two points outside the top four and could be ready to cause even more disarray at the Blues.
In terms of the title race, Manchester United host Norwich looking to retain their 12-point lead at the top of the table, while Manchester City will continue leading the chase when they travel to relegation-threatened Aston Villa.
There was a fantastic story being made at Wembley on Sunday afternoon when Swansea won their first ever major trophy in the club’s centenary year. Michael Laudrup’s men easily disposed of League Two side Bradford City in the League Cup final, winning 5-0 after the fourth-division side had earlier been reduced to 10 men after having their ‘keeper sent off. The Welsh side now back up against Newcastle this weekend.
At the bottom, time is running out for QPR. It’s been six matches since their last win, the miraculous 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They’re now seven points from safety with just 11 matches remaining. Can Harry Redknapp work his magic? If so, it will have to start this weekend when they go away to Southampton.
Finally, Wigan’s seemingly regular end-of-season revival got underway last weekend when they defeated Reading 3-0 away from home. It dragged the Latics out of the relegation zone on goal difference and, crucially, put them a point clear of the Royals, who are 19th. Roberto Martinez’s magic show must continue this weekend when they host Liverpool at the DW Stadium.
Predictions (AEST)
Sunday March 3 at 2.00am
Chelsea 1-1 West Brom
Everton 2-0 Reading
Manchester United 3-0 Norwich
Southampton 1-1 QPR
Stoke 0-0 West Ham
Sunderland 2-1 Fulham
Swansea 1-1 Newcastle
Sunday March 3 at 4.30am
Wigan 1-1 Liverpool
Monday March 4 at 3.00am
Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
Tuesday March 5 at 7.00am
Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester City
Riley Beveridge is a second-year Bachelor of Sports Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @RileyBev.
