Rafael Benitez was jeered by Chelsea fans before his Stamford Bridge reign began with a dour 0-0 Premier League draw against champions Manchester City yesterday. The former Liverpool manager's arrival in the dugout shortly before kick-off was serenaded by jeers and boos from the home supporters who continued to chant Di Matteo's name throughout the first half.
The enmity towards Benitez stemmed from the run-ins he had with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho during his time at Liverpool and the popularity of former player Di Matteo who guided the Londoners to Champions League and FA Cup glory in his eight months in charge.
"I was just concentrating on the game, I was not paying attention to anything else, just the performance of the players on the pitch," Benitez told reporters after a point apiece kept Chelsea fourth and City second in the standings.
"I can understand [the boos] because of the rivalry in the past but the majority of the fans will understand. I am a professional and I want to do my job, I want to win for the club and I want to win with them."
Chelsea, now without a win in five league games, improved after a sluggish first half but created few openings to test City keeper Joe Hart.
It was easy to see why both teams have struggled to make an impression in the Champions League this season. Chelsea's fate is out of their hands going into the final game and City, still unbeaten in the Premier League after 13 games, are condemned to a group-stage exit for the second successive season.
Both were solid but unspectacular and the stalemate did little to enthrall as the rain fell.
Striker Fernando Torres, recalled by Benitez after being dropped to the bench by Di Matteo against Juve, wasted the home side's best chance when he fired over in the second half.
Defender Cesar Azpilicueta did force Hart to tip over his rasping drive late on and City, who had dominated the first half, almost won it at the death but Matija Nastasic directed a free header straight at Petr Cech.
Roberto Mancini, whose side were knocked off top spot by Manchester United's 3-1 win over Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, said City had "lost two points".
"Games here are always hard but today we played well while missing the last pass," he said.
"Last year we lost a good game, this year we took one point. "I am not happy but I prefer this."
The enmity towards Benitez stemmed from the run-ins he had with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho during his time at Liverpool and the popularity of former player Di Matteo who guided the Londoners to Champions League and FA Cup glory in his eight months in charge.
"I was just concentrating on the game, I was not paying attention to anything else, just the performance of the players on the pitch," Benitez told reporters after a point apiece kept Chelsea fourth and City second in the standings.
"I can understand [the boos] because of the rivalry in the past but the majority of the fans will understand. I am a professional and I want to do my job, I want to win for the club and I want to win with them."
Chelsea, now without a win in five league games, improved after a sluggish first half but created few openings to test City keeper Joe Hart.
It was easy to see why both teams have struggled to make an impression in the Champions League this season. Chelsea's fate is out of their hands going into the final game and City, still unbeaten in the Premier League after 13 games, are condemned to a group-stage exit for the second successive season.
Both were solid but unspectacular and the stalemate did little to enthrall as the rain fell.
Striker Fernando Torres, recalled by Benitez after being dropped to the bench by Di Matteo against Juve, wasted the home side's best chance when he fired over in the second half.
Defender Cesar Azpilicueta did force Hart to tip over his rasping drive late on and City, who had dominated the first half, almost won it at the death but Matija Nastasic directed a free header straight at Petr Cech.
Roberto Mancini, whose side were knocked off top spot by Manchester United's 3-1 win over Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, said City had "lost two points".
"Games here are always hard but today we played well while missing the last pass," he said.
"Last year we lost a good game, this year we took one point. "I am not happy but I prefer this."
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