Benitez fires warning after Chelsea win

Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez warned the race for the top four would go to the wire after victory over Sunderland lifted his side into third.

A Matthew Kilgallon own goal and Branislav Ivanovic’s back-heel turned around a half-time deficit as Chelsea fought back to see off Paolo Di Canio’s Black Cats.

Their hopes of Champions League qualification were further boosted as Tottenham and Everton cancelled each other out at White Hart Lane.

Chelsea would face a punishing schedule of matches should they reach both the FA Cup and Europa League finals – and Benitez said it was unlikely a top-four spot could be guaranteed by then.

He said: “I don’t think that will be possible. Tottenham and Arsenal are pushing, Everton as well. So we’ll have to carry on until the end.

“Hopefully we can do well this week with the games we have in the cup competitions.

“Every week it [the table] will change. The main thing is to have a relaxed approach but not to panic because the next week, everything can change.

“It’s important to keep the team winning and keep everybody on their toes, because we have another four games in the next week so you can’t stop. The main thing is to get results.”

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