Benitez plays down bust-up reports

Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez this afternoon played down reports of a bust-up with his players – insisting it was business as usual ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Middlesbrough.

Reports have emerged of a heated exchange between Benitez and the Blues squad, led by captain John Terry, in the wake of their 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Manchester City.