Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has declared that his side deserved tonight's 2-1 win over Basel, but questioned the penalty call that led to the hosts' goal.
The Spaniard described the referee's decision to penalise Cesar Azpilicueta for bringing down Valentin Stocker as "strange", and admitted that it could have had a bearing on the outcome of the game.
"I think it was [a deserved win]. We played against a good team, you could see the intensity and the pace of the game but we had enough chances to score and the penalty, which was a surprise for everyone, could have made a difference," he told ITV Sport.
"All around me nobody felt that it was a penalty because the ball was in the air, it was a very strange decision."
Benitez went on to single out David Luiz for praise after the Brazilian hit the Blues' winner deep into stoppage time.
"It is always important to win. To score an away goal is important but to score two and win is even better," he added. "David Luiz did a great job but I am really pleased for the team because they all did well."
Chelsea took the lead in the first half through Victor Moses, with Fabian Schar grabbing Basel's consolation from the penalty spot.
Mark Langshaw
