Benitez's men shocked 0-2 at home by Swansea City in a League Cup semi-final encounter
Rafael Benitez insisted Chelsea had been unlucky after a 2-0 defeat in their League Cup semi-final first leg tie by Premier League rivals Swansea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
A dejected Gary Cahill sits as Branislav Ivanovic looks on after Swansea City scored their second goal at Stamford Bridge. PIC/Getty Images
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Both Swansea goals in a backs-to-the-wall effort came as a result of two errors by Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.u00a0In-form Spanish striker Michu, signed for just £2 million ($3.21 million, 2.45 million euros) from La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, scored his 16th goal of the season in the 39th minute with a curling shot from the edge of the box after Ivanovic miscontrolled the ball.
And in stoppage time, shortly after Chelsea substitute Demba Ba had had a penalty appeal turned down on his home debut, Swansea’s Danny Graham scored for the fourth match in a row after another Ivanovic mistake.
Interim Blues manager Benitez, brought in to replace sacked fans’ favourite Roberto di Matteo, endured fresh jeers from Chelsea supporters, but insisted: “You (media) analyse all these things because we lost.
But the way we played, the chances we created, is what we have to do. I think the team were doing really well, had a lot of chances and could have scored two or three in the first half, but made two mistakes and paid for them.
You can lose a game and then analyse it, but if you play this game 10 times maybe you will win nine.” However, the former Liverpool manager added: “Swansea have a great advantage (in the second leg), but if we go there and score one, we’ll see what happens.
” Wednesday’s result was the second surprise English League Cup semi-final first leg scoreline in as many days, if not as great an upset as fourth-tier Bradford City’s 3-1 defeat of EPL side Aston Villa on Tuesday. Now, Swansea will look to seal it against Chelsea in the second leg at the Liberty Stadium (January 23), with the prospect of final against Bradford.
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