Benitez baffled by draw
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez admits his side's inability to hold on to their two-goal lead at Reading on Wednesday evening was hard to take.
The Blues looked on course to close the gap on second-placed Manchester City after strikes from Juan Mata and Frank Lampard, but a late Adam Le Fondre double ensured they left the Madejski with just a point. The substitute struck in the 87th and 95th minutes to deny Chelsea their fifth successive league away win and take Reading, who are 1.50 to go down, out of the relegation zone.
We're still in a really good position in the table, but it could have been better.Rafael Benitez
"It's difficult to explain how we drew this game," said Benitez.
"We did everything to win the game. For 85 minutes we controlled everything and created enough chances to score four or five goals. It is difficult to take."
He added: "We all take responsibility. We don't blame anyone. It's for us to analyse why we didn't kill the game off, and to work to stop the mistakes.
"We're still in a really good position in the table, but it could have been better."
Chelsea, who are 1.12 to finish in the top four, remain six points behind City in third place, four points ahead of Spurs in fourth. They travel to Newcastle on Saturday and are 9.50 to win 2-0, with Fernando Torres at 5.50 to score first.
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