Fans jeer Benitez as Blues draw with City

Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0

New manager Rafael Benitez was barracked by disgruntled Chelsea fans as he took charge of his first game.

It was an emotion-filled afternoon at Stamford Bridge following the sad news of the death of legendary ex-Blues boss Dave Sexton.

Benitez, unpopular among Chelsea fans from his time at Liverpool, was greeted by jeers before a rousing minute’s applause for Sexton, who led the club to its 1970 FA Cup triumph and the European Cup Winners’ Cup the following year.

And on 16 minutes the home crowd demonstrated their feelings by chanting the name of sacked manager Roberto Di Matteo, who wore the number 16 shirt during his time as a player at Chelsea.

On the pitch, the game produced little of note before Sergio Aguero missed a great chance to put Manchester City ahead when he headed straight at keeper Petr Cech.

Fernando Torres, restored to the starting line-up by Benitez, also had a decent opportunity but shot over.

Chelsea were the better side in the second half but again looked vulnerable at the back at times and were rescued by a far-post clearance from Ashley Cole after Edin Dzeko had fired across Cech.

Cole was also involved at the other end, bringing a fingertip save from Joe Hart with a late effort.

Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole; Ramires, Mikel (Romeu 79); Mata, Oscar, Hazard (Moses 71); Torres.
Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Cahill, Bertrand, Marin.

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