Rafael Benitez’s Chelsea nightmare continued as West Ham hit back to inflict his first defeat in charge and extend his winless start as interim manager.


Chelsea’s Fernando Torres sulks during the 1-3 defeat to West Ham. Pic/AFP

Already the first boss of the Roman Abramovich era not to oversee a victory in his opening two games under the Russian, it got worse for Benitez at Upton Park on Saturday afternoon as the Blues made it seven Barclays Premier League games without maximum points.

Juan Mata appeared to ease the pressure on the former Liverpool boss by ending the European champions’ five-hour, 34-minute goal drought after 13 minutes.

But the visitors squandered several chances to score again and were deservedly made to pay through a controversial Carlton Cole equaliser and goals from substitutes Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga. West Ham fans taunted Benitez with, “You’re getting sacked in the morning”.u00a0