Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has cited West Ham United's physicality as the reason for his side's defeat on Saturday.

Having taken the lead through Juan Mata, the Blues were beaten 3-1 at Upton Park by the Hammers at the weekend to continue the visitors' recent poor form.

Benitez feels that his side were unable to cope with West Ham's physical approach to the game.

"In the second half we couldn't manage," said Benitez. "They were physically strong and we couldn't win the first ball or the second ball and we started having problems.

"We still had one or two chances to come back but it wasn't enough to change the game.

"We scored the goal and everybody was talking about the two clean sheets in the last games. We thought we were really good in defence and at the same time we had the balance to score goals and create chances but in the second half everything changed in the game."

Benitez is still searching for his first win as Chelsea boss.