Rafa back to business at Blues

Rafael Benitez is expected to be given at least one more match in charge at Chelsea despite his rant criticising Blues supporters and the club’s decision to give him the title of interim manager.

Benitez launched a passionate monologue after the holders’ 2-0 FA Cup win at Middlesbrough on Wednesday, which set up a quarter-final tie with Manchester United.

His criticism sparked suggestions his tenure in caretaker charge could come to an end as soon as today, rather than as scheduled at the end of season, with the comments unlikely to have gone down well with owner Roman Abramovich and the Blues board. Yet Chelsea insisted it was just another day at Stamford Bridge, where reports of dressing room unrest have also been played down.