RAFA BENITEZ says his players are benefiting from a more serene atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.
The hostility that greeted the Spaniard's arrival at Chelsea has been notably muted in the past week and with three home wins in a row following Sunday's 2-1 win over Sunderland, maybe even the anti-Benitez brigade have decided to cool it now.
After the FA Cup win at Middlesbrough, Chelsea's interim boss took a gamble by having a go at the boo boys and challenged them to put their protests to one side for the good of the team. Now, he says, it is paying off.
"It's important to have everyone sticking together and pushing in the same direction,” Benitez said.
“The feeling is that everybody has realised we have to stick together, we have to support the team and that's the best way. That was my message before and it still is.
“That's always important. The great games are where you have good results and a great atmosphere.”
The Blues' victory over the Wearsiders was not the most polished, but the recovery from a goal down at half time delighted the boss, considering the pressure of a relentless fixture schedule.
“The first half, we didn't start well,” Benitez said. “We were giving the ball away easily and conceded a late goal, but it was a very good reaction second half, very positive.
“Fernando [Torres] had an impact and the team were much better – on top of them. We scored two goals and we had control of the game.
“We didn't score the third goal and gave them hope that they would equalise, but after playing four games in eight days, I was really pleased, because the most important thing was to get the result.”
The Chelsea manager added: “We always try to play well, because you will win more games, but sometimes you cannot. The other team was well organised and the most important thing for me was that we showed character and determination in the second half.
“It's important to keep the team winning and everybody on their toes. We will have another four games in the next week, so you cannot stop, and the main thing is to get results and to be sure we have the right mentality every game.
“I said before that I think the race for the top four will go to the end because Tottenham and Arsenal are pushing, even Everton, and I think we will have to carry on until the end.”
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