Rafael Benitez: 'Things have improved'

Rafael Benitez has insisted that Chelsea are heading in the right direction under his stewardship.

The Blues are currently fourth in the Premier League and trail leaders Manchester United by 14 points.

They also face an uphill task in the Capital One Cup having lost 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final with Swansea City.

However, the Spaniard, who was named as Roberto Di Matteo's short-term successor in November, believes that the team have improved since he has been in charge.

"We have been here seven weeks and the team is scoring more goals, conceding less, playing nice football and even against Swansea we had very clear chances but we conceded two goals and lost," Benitez told reporters.

"Even in the games we lost we could have won these games because we had a lot of chances, so it is a question of being patient and carrying on doing things.

"I can guarantee 100% that everyone here is pushing and trying to do their best and believe we can carry on improving. The players are happy and the staff are doing a great job supporting them. We are going in the right direction but still in a top side you expect to win every game and sometimes you can't."

Chelsea travel to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City this afternoon.