A good, trophy-winning mentor in his time at Valencia and Liverpool, BenAtez was often an odd visit at the Bridge because of his past remarks about Chelsea supporters. Even if these terms, especially about their astupid plastic flagsa, have already been taken out of context and spiced with increased conjecture down the years it was still a gamble by the Chelsea board. Roberto Di Matteo had brought Chelsea to the Champions League and FA Cup, was admittedly suffering a few travails, but did not deserve dismissal. Following a contentiously-sacked fansa favorite was always planning to be difficult for BenAtez. Chelsea supporters have been denigrated for perhaps not accepting BenAtez nonetheless it is their team, their obsession. They are censured by other clubsa fans for lacking enthusiasm, for being aplastica. Yet their a reaction to BenAtez reflected the emotion they feel for Chelsea, and their anger over a perceived slight. They do not forget. As he sat in the Middlesbrough press room, in front of an advertising hoarding for a string pawnbrokers, BenAtez continued with as a farewell speech what appeared to his stunned audience. He criticised the board in making his job title ainterima, signalling his short-term position at the Bridge. Second error. Never bite the hand that feeds. Roman Abramovich, Chelseaas benefactor, is hardly going to be impressed by an employee asking him. BenAtez was associated with Chelseaas director of communications, Steve Atkins, nevertheless the Spaniard seemed very isolated. The man who never went alone at Anfield was without succour or assistance here. He talked and talked himself further and further towards the exit door. In reality, BenAtez always has been alone at Chelsea. The participants don't appear to have responded to him. He lost the last of the Fifa Club World Cup in Yokohama, a that Abramovich craved. Chelsea have slipped to fourth in the Premier League, he had an of opinionsa with elderly players at Cobham but insisted the players were behind him. Too true. Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were certainly behind him, sitting on the bench, as BenAtez rotated. There were echoes of Andre Villas-Boasa decision to place Lampard and Cole on the bench in Naples last year. That exercised better. Poor before the break, Chelsea improved significantly in the 2nd half, a real possibility that'll lead to inevitable speculation over who spoke the absolute most stirring phrases in the dressing room at the interval, BenAtez or even John Terry. A far more assertive force was emerged by chelsea following the break. Oscar wriggled in from the right, clipping in a cross that was handled by Yossi Benayoun, who worked the ball away from Nicky Bailey and Seb Hines. Ramires took charge. His shot took an amazing deflection off Fernando Torres, who had been credited with the target by the Riverside announcer. Torres felt elevated by this obvious windfall. He fired in a go that Jason Steele pushed away. He then went in to the field on the time but was dispossessed way too easily by George Friend, who strolled away with the ball till fouled by Torres. BenAtez had seen enough of Benayoun, removing him after his participation in the goal and replacing him with Eden Hazard. A change was also made by tony Mowbray, withdrawing Curtis Main, who'd worked hard but could not outsmart Terry. Ishmael Miller came onto partner Scott McDonald. Chelsea were developing towards another goal. Hazard was the catalyst, running towards the Boro package, trading moves with Oscar and continuing in to the area. Oscaras reunite was appropriate, allowing the ball to be squared by Hazard across for Moses to use the coup de grace. Chelsea were now in control. Oscar scampered forward and stroked a low opportunity only large. A real difference had been made by hazard, playing with confidence. Whilst the Chelsea supporters continued to perform their dislike of BenAtez, the Spaniard continued to make his changes. David Luiz came on for the superb Moses. Oscar was then rested with 10 minutes remaining and Marko Marin given a run-out. Boro refused to go out of the Cup meekly. Merouane Zemmama struck a that Petr Cech saved reduced to his right. Then Grant Leadbitter swung over a corner, Cech missed the trip but Hines headed vast. Cooper volleyed left-footed over. Boro still pushed for a consolation. Burns was rejected by Cech and Zemmama shot extensive but it was too little, too late. Chelsea won and while continuing to castigate BenAtez, their fans saluted the team warmly. Chelsea had a good 45 but it is really a possible P45 which is discussed on Thursday.
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