Chelsea will challenge for the title – Benitez
Rafael Benitez insisted Chelsea are genuine title contenders after they came from behind to beat his Newcastle side 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Dwight Gayle put the Magpies ahead but the champions hit back, with the outstanding Eden Hazard scoring twice and Alvaro Morata netting his 10th goal of the season.
It gave Chelsea their sixth win in seven matches and closed the gap between them and leaders Manchester City – who play West Ham on Sunday – to eight points.
“We started well but after that we made some mistakes,” Benitez said.
“It’s very difficult because they have players who are very good one-v-one and then it you defend high they can get in behind you.
“They have to compete for the title. They will be one of the teams who will be up there in the top three.”
The former Chelsea interim boss remains an unpopular figure among many Blues fans and was booed by some of them on his return to the Bridge.
But Benitez insisted he was unaware of the hostile reception.
“I didn’t realise anything. I was just concentrating on the game,” he said.
