Benitez not fearing Chelsea sack after late Newcastle defeat

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has insisted his job is not in jeopardy despite his side slipping to a 3-2 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

Moussa Sissoko capped an incredible home debut for the hosts with a 90th-minute winner, but Benitez felt his side should have been given a penalty when Fabricio Coloccini caught Demba Ba in the face with his boot, breaking the former Toon man's nose.

When asked about his Stamford Bridge future, Benitez told reporters: "If the players show the character that they showed in the second half, it means something is right.

"If we cannot control these games, it is something we have to improve.

"With some players: David Luiz, [Eden] Hazard, [John] Obi Mikel and Victor Moses coming back that gives us more options and maybe we can have fresh legs on the pitch.

"When we are in form and doing well, we can beat anyone. We are doing a good job in terms of what you can see on the pitch so we're doing well. The team has great team spirit and I'm confident that the team will finish in the top three."

The Spanish boss expressed his frustration at the loss of his new striker, and referee Howard Webb's decision to not award a penalty when he was caught in the face with a Coloccini boot.

"We have to improve, but we couldn't change the situation of Demba Ba.

"It was a penalty and a red card for me. In the middle of the park it's just carry on, go back, free kick. In the penalty area it's carry on, go back, penalty and red card.

"It changed the game, we lost a player to a broken nose. It's something to consider. In other circumstances, everyone would be talking about this."