Rafa Benitez Explodes After Chelsea Win

((HT: SkySports))

There is no secret that Roman Abramovich is very rich, and as a result, very impulsive when it comes to his Champions League squad and their continued (and somewhat mandatory) success...

The 5th Round of the FA Cup had the Blues at Middlesborough and won 2-0, but that didn't stop Benitez from giving a rant of the ages toward his "interim" title as manager, the fans that continue to rail against Benitez (and Abramovich for hiring him)...

Here's the rant in full...


If Benitez hasn't signed his occupational death warrant with the inconsistent play of the team since he took over for Roberto di Matteo, then this outburst probably did him in...

OSG Prem: Chelsea's Hazard Kicks Ball Boy

((HT: Capital One Cup/youtube))

Chelsea was trailing Swansea City 2-0 on aggregate in the Capital One Cup action this afternoon/tonight and Eden Hazard, in a moment of desperation, decided to do the following to a ball boy in Wales...


Classy move... and it got him an instant red card from the official...

Manager Rafa Benitez was livid, but Hazard will be the one getting a major fine and suspension for this one when it's all done...

More when we know more...

THURSDAY UPDATE: Apparently, Hazard won't face any criminal charges for the incident. But the Football Association is reviewing the whole thing...

From SkySports:

Hazard told Chelsea TV: "The boy put his whole body onto the ball and I was just trying to kick the ball and I think I kicked the ball and not the boy. I apologise.

"The ballboy came in the changing room and we had a quick chat and I apologised and the boy apologised as well, and it is over. Sorry."

OSG Prem: Chelsea Lights Up Villa For 8

((HT: SkySports/youtube))

Here's the full list of the assault on Aston Villa by Chelsea today at Stamford Bridge...

Fernando Torres (3)
David Luiz (29)
Branislav Ivanovic (34)
Frank Lampard (58)
Ramires (75, 90+1)
Oscar (PK 79)
Edin Hazard (83)

But eight goals...??? Eight...???

American goalie Brad Guzan was certainly shell-shocked and Aston Villa looked like they were, completely, outclassed the whole day. The end result gives Villa the worst goal differential of all the clubs near relegation (-17), one worse than Reading and QPR.

Chelsea is now tied in goal differential with both City and United at (+19), two points clear of Arsenal for third place.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert was really honest about it: “We were second best. We have to hold our hands hold our hands up, we never turned up; at this level we can't play like that. We always learn, it will certainly be a wake-up call its been going fine for us and it is only Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs that have turned us over, we will bounce back."

The whole notion of offense at Chelsea was somewhat foreign to fans under the new Rafa Benitez administration, and the move of David Luiz to midfield seemed to be something of a catalyst today.

Here's all eight goals, while it lasts...
((HT: FoxSoccer))


Next games are the day after Christmas...

OSG Prem: DiMatteo Sacked At Chelsea, Rafa On The Clock...??? (UPDATE: Yup, It's Rafa...)

((HT: goal.com))

Roman Abramovich is not one to be patient with what he perceives as failure...

And when manager Roberto di Matteo wasn't having the results both he and Abramovich wanted, it meant that the manager was gone...

Again...

Here's di Matteo's last interview thinking he was still gonna stay- after his loss to Juventus 3-0 this week in Champions League play...


The statement from the Blues:

"The team's recent performances and results have not been good enough and the owner and the Board felt that a change was necessary now to keep the club moving in the right direction as we head into a vitally important part of the season.

"The club faces a difficult task ahead in qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as well as maintaining a strong challenge for the top of the Premier League while competing in three other cup competitions.

"Our aim is to remain as competitive as possible and challenge strongly on all fronts.

"The owner and the Board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March.

"Roberto helped guide us to an historic Champions League victory and a seventh FA Cup. We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club's history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge.

"The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager."

Newcastle's Alan Pardew is somewhat shocked and/or disappointed...


Looks like Guardiola, Rafa Benitez, Harry Redknapp, and Jose Mourinho are the favorites to replace di Matteo...

Just depends on who is crazy enough to take the gig... and it is looking more and more like Benitez...

PM UPDATE: Yup... it is...