No final fanfare as Rafa departs

Chelsea 2 Everton 1

On the face of it, Benitez will leave Stamford Bridge a success after Fernando Torres’s winner – the striker’s first Premier League strike in almost 20 hours – confirmed Chelsea’s standing in third place and with it, direct access to the Champions League group stage next season.

With the Europa League trophy already occupying a place in the Stamford Bridge trophy room, Benitez’s work here is done and the interim manager will now seek permanent employment with an enhanced cv.