Source: team_talk
Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez happy with clinical 3-0 win over Fulham
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez was happy with his team's clinical performance as they won 3-0 at Fulham.
An outrageous long-range effort from David Luiz followed by a brace from John Terry saw Chelsea ease to a comfortable 3-0 victory that lifts them above Arsenal into third in the Premier League.
Benitez praised Fulham's style of play but felt his side had the superior quality and is hopeful of retaining their spot in the top three for the remainder of the season.
"To score three goals and keep a clean sheet, especially in a derby, is really good and I am very happy with the side," he told Sky Sports.
"We knew that it is a good side with quality and the way that they play is quite good. But we are strong and also have quality so when we scored the first goal I thought it was a matter of time. They were trying to push but that gave us more space and more options on the counter-attack."
The strike by Luiz lit up the evening in west London and Benitez was not shocked by what he saw from the Brazilian defender.
"It was really good," he added. "We have seen him scoring lots of goals like this in the training sessions and also some good goals from free-kicks. He has this ability.
"All the team did well but the defenders in particular were working hard against good strikers. Both David Luiz and John were really good."
Terry has been in and out of the side under Benitez as he has struggled for fitness but the Spaniard is anticipating a selection problem if the skipper can maintain this kind of form.
"It's coming back," said Benitez of Terry's fitness. "If he can train every week it will be easier for me to pick him every week and we have competition. It is good for us and a problem for me."
With the Blues up to third in the table, the interim boss insists the main target is to stay in the spot that will guarantee the club a place in the group stages of next season's Champions League.
"We know we have a target," he added. "It is very clear. We must stay in the top three in the league. We have eight or nine games to play and we must think of the team. Hopefully if we can keep winning our games we will stay there."
