• Premier League

Benitez angered by wasteful finishing

ESPN staff
January 16, 2013
Rafael Benitez rues missed chances

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez bemoaned his side's lack of a cutting edge in front of goal, after they were held to a draw by Southampton.

The Blues were 2-0 up against the relegation-threatened side at half-time, but conspired to throw away that advantage as Rickie Lambert and Jason Puncheon combined to ensure Nigel Adkins' side grabbed a crucial point.

And Benitez, who was booed along with the team at the final whistle, criticised his team's poor finishing at Stamford Bridge.

"We have to be more clinical," Benitez told Sky Sports. "At 2-0 up you have to manage the game. We have to have some experience, score the third goal and kill the game but we didn't do that.

"We had chances, we had a lot of chances again. Taking our chances has to be the key."

Prior to the game Chelsea had hoped to pull within four points of second-placed Manchester City, while opening up a gap between themselves and Tottenham.

However, having only managed to move two points clear of their London rivals, Benitez seemed to suggest that finishing in the top three was now the main priority for his side.

The Spaniard added: "We are in the top three so we will try to be as high as possible and try to get three points in the next game - that's it."

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