Chelsea 4 - 0 Brentford: Terry plays down Rafa rift

By MATT MCGEEHAN
Published on 18/02/2013 01:13

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez and captain John Terry insisted their relationship is sound following the 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round replay defeat of Brentford at Stamford Bridge.

Scorers: Chelsea - Mata (54), Oscar (68), Lampard (71), Terry (81)

Referee: N Swarbrick

Attendance: 40,961

After goals from Juan Mata, Oscar and Frank Lampard – his 199th for Chelsea – Terry made a goalscoring return with a headed fourth as the holders overcame npower League One Brentford to set up a fifth-round clash with Middlesbrough and potential quarter-final away to Manchester United. A report yesterday claimed Terry, who made his third start under Benitez following a knee injury sustained in November, and the Spaniard clashed earlier this month, but both parties branded it “rubbish” and were adamant they were on good terms.

“We were surprised today with some comments,” said Benitez, who kept Chelsea on course for a fifth FA Cup triumph in seven seasons. “It’s totally rubbish. We didn’t have any problem. We were talking about football with the team. He was training yesterday, we had normal conversations. Everything was fine. I was really surprised.”

Following the Europa League win at Sparta Prague, where Terry was an unused substitute for a fifth time under Benitez, the interim boss described the captain’s bid for fitness as a “vicious circle” and insisted he must train regularly and then attain match fitness before being considered for selection with Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz.

Terry told ITV: “It was good to get on the scoresheet and good to be back. The manager knows me and I want to play. I have been out for two or three months, but the other two [centre-backs] have been doing well. It’s good to have competition.”

The match was played in front of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, present for the first time since the defeat of Arsenal and Lampard again had an impact, closing in on Bobby Tambling’s club goalscoring record despite his future being uncertain.

Asked again about Lampard’s future, Benitez said: “Every time I will give the same answer. “He’s doing well, he’s scoring goals. Hopefully he can score another 15 until the end [of the season].”

Another talking point was challenges from Cahill and Luiz. Bees captain Jonathan Douglas was caught on the ankle by a late and high tackle by Cahill, while Luiz needlessly body-checked substitute Jake Reeves as Brentford finished beaten and bruised.

Benitez saw nothing wrong with the challenges and Brentford boss Uwe Rosler was still to see replays of the incidents. Luiz apologised afterwards to Reeves, who suffered concussion in the incident. Rosler said: “The player [Luiz] came into our dressing room, he spoke to Jake. I think that’s a fantastic gesture. Jake Reeves is fine. He wanted to continue, but our medical staff said it’s better not to. He will be okay next week.”

On Cahill’s tackle on Douglas, Rosler said: “I saw it in a split second. My first reaction was no complaint.”

Rosler had no complaint either when Marcello Trotta had an effort ruled out after 39 minutes, referee Neil Swarbrick having already blown for a Luiz foul on Adam Forshaw.