AMSTERDAM — Rafa Benitez proved again that winning is everything in sports. Good for the Spanish coach he's made it a habit. Long reviled and ridiculed by Chelsea fans, Benitez doggedly stuck with his managerial instincts during a nerve wrecking half year in charge of the London club to give wealthy owner Roman Abramovich the Europa League Cup with a 2-1 win over Benfica Lisbon Wednesday in his last big game in charge. On Wednesday night there was none of the booing that marked his first game in charge of Chelsea in the dead of winter. Instead he was soaking up the celebrations of a sea of blue-and-white flags after Branislav Ivanovic soared high in injury time to head home the winner. “I was just enjoying,” he said. “Everybody was happy, so I was happy too.” He punched the air and was hugged by players and club officials alike. At 53, he has now won the Europa League Cup, its predecessor the UEFA Cup with Valencia and the UEFA Champions League Cup with Liverpool. One of his most controversial decisions — sticking with fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres in the face of criticism the once-great striker was past it — paid huge dividends Wednesday. With one move on the hour-mark, Torres did much to save the reputation of the two Spaniards at Chelsea. Long before Ivanovic's goal, Torres had already set Chelsea on its way with a superb solo effort in the 59th minute. He first wrestled himself past Ezequiel Garay, spread and arm wide to leave the formidable Luisao standing, and then produced the speed and skills to find a narrow angle to slot home. It was vintage Torres, reminiscent of the 2008 European championships which made him a superstar. Oscar Cardozo replied for Benfica from the penalty spot nine minutes later after Cesar Azpilicueta handled in the box. Strangely enough, with a cup in hand, Benitez will soon say goodbye to Chelsea. Worn down by constant criticism from fans, Benitez announced in February he would leave Chelsea at the end of the season, and everything points toward a return by Jose Mourinho after a disappointing stint at Real Madrid. Benfica coach Jorge Jesus also hinted he may leave the club. The 58-year-old, who has been in charge for four years, said the Lisbon team was the better side for most of the match and that defeat was hard to bear. After an emotional tribute to the quality of his players, Jesus said he had been speaking with the club's hierarchy in recent times. “In these last few weeks the club and I have been talking about the future,” he told a news conference. “This defeat today will lead me to take some time to think more about these issues.” The defeat was the seventh in a row for Benfica in European finals since it enjoyed enormous success half a century ago with European Cup final wins in 1961 and 1962. Lampard signs one-year extension with Chelsea Record goalscorer Frank Lampard has signed a one-year contract extension with Chelsea, the Premier League club said Thursday. — Agencies
