Chelsea boss Benitez has hoped that his team will finish the season on a high note. A surprise victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Monday. Demba Ba’s remarkable volley in 49th-minute into the game a superb save by Petr Cech save earned Chelsea much needed win to reserve a place in semifinal against Manchester City on Wembley.
“The race for the top four will be until the end of the season. We’re in the top four with one game in hand so we’re in a very good position. We’re in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, quarter-finals of the Europa League. It’s a great season, at the moment. It could be even better.” Benitez said:
Chelsea game against Manchester United was full of chances as Chelsea setup lead when Demba Ba received Mata’s lofted pass to smash the ball into the nets. Manchester United had ample time score an equalizer. They almost close to level the game Javier Hernandez met a Danny Welbeck cross, but Cech was smart enough to distract the ball over. It was a great save that was applauded by all including bosses of both the teams.
“It was a great save, with a great goal.” Benitez said.
Manchester united boss Sir Alex Ferguson termed superb save by Cech as deciding moment of the game.
“Cech’s save from Chicharito was unbelievable. He made a similar save in the first (game) from one of his own defenders. I think if we had got that goal then we would have been okay. It may have gone to extra time, of course, but it would have brought us back into the game and we didn’t need to go chasing it.”
Famous star Robin van Persie also wasted two late chances to see FA cup hopes of his team since 2004 dashed.
Wayne Rooney missed the game due to groin injury sustained.
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson clearly appeared disturbed over poor performance of his team.
“Over the 90 minutes only Antonio Valencia reached the standard we expect of them,” Ferguson said. “Phil Jones (did) for a good part of the game, of course, and David de Gea did well, but in terms of the 90-minute performance Antonio Valencia was the only one.”
