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Rafael Benitez: 'Winning will silence critics'

Benitez: 'Winning will silence critics'
© AP Photos
Rafael Benitez says that winning is the only way to silence the Chelsea fans' criticism of his reign at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that the only way for him to stop receiving criticism from the supporters is by winning matches.

The Spaniard was criticised for the Blues' 2-0 Capital One Cup defeat to Swansea City last week, with fans infuriated by his explanation that injuries were to blame for the poor form of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba.

However, Benitez is adamant that he was not making excuses for the loss.

"I was surprised the other day when I spoke about Fernando's problems with his stomach [and that] we couldn't play Demba Ba because he had a niggle," said Benitez. "Afterwards it was said I was making excuses, but I wasn't making excuses.

"I am still being criticised for making the decision to play Fernando Torres instead of Demba Ba, who was a big risk if he got injured. If you know Demba Ba could be injured, it is my job as manager to make this decision. He scored two against Southampton [in the FA Cup] but couldn't play the next game against Swansea because of a niggle.

"If we can continue winning games, it's not a case of I can't win."

Chelsea host Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

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Matt Cotton
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Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez during the match against Everton on December 30, 2012
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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