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Chelsea's Spanish interim manager Rafael Benitez

I've turned Chelsea into title contenders, says Rafael Benitez

Rafael Benitez believes that his tenure as Chelsea interim manager has set them up for a stronger title challenge next season. Benitez will take charge of his last competitive game after six turbulent but successful months, with third place in the Premier League in their sights and the Europa League trophy secured on Wednesday.

Video: 11-year-old Liverpool fan picks up the Europa League trophy with Chelsea

Louis Kearns nearly awarded a medal by Michel Platini

Rafa Benitez will bow out of Chelsea with another trophy to his name

Europa League Final: Chelsea turnaround proves Rafael Benitez is the master of the half-time pep talk

He took over a squad mid-season, recovered from Champions League exit and put up with hatred of fans - and then showed the nous that produced the miracle of Istanbul

Europa League Final: Frank Lampard proves the ideal stand-in captain for John Terry after leading Chelsea to second European title in as many years

The midfielder stood in for Terry last night and in the Champions League final last year

John Terry is taken off the pitch with an ankle injury during Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa

Injured Chelsea trio John Terry, Eden Hazard John Obi Mikel travel to Europa League final

The Blues play Benfica in Amsterdam tomorrow

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez is pleased with what he has achieved since arriving at the club to replace Roberto Di Matteo

Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 2 match report: Smiling Rafael Benitez begins making play for another job in the Premier League

Spaniard’s hopes of Europa League glory on Wednesday hit by Terry and Hazard injuries

Premier League: Aston Villa v Chelsea match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Villa Park

Gareth Bale displays his frustration, and his thighs, after failing to pinch victory with a late free-kick

Tottenham are running on empty and must rely on Chelsea and Arsenal to make mistakes if they are to clinch top-four place

Andre Villas-Boas’s team show character to push for Champions League qualification right to the closing stages

Benitez says David Luiz is ‘miles better’ than most in the Premier League

Rafa Benitez defends David Luiz, claiming the Chelsea defender only uses his elbows to defend himself

Luiz has been one of the best players in the country this season

The Chelsea defender David Luiz has told friends that he was laughing at a Manchester United supporter who berated him as Sideshow Bob

Chelsea defender David Luiz claims smirk followed Manchester United fan's 'Sideshow Bob' jibe

The Brazilian has been heavily criticised following the incident at Old Trafford

The Sport Matrix: Tuesday 7 May 2013

Wiggins left dry as Brailsford opts for Froome as leader

The Sport Matrix: Monday 6 May 2013

Ferguson attacks Chelsea’s Luiz over ‘dying swan’ act

Sir Alex Ferguson was less than happy with his sides performance

We've taken foot off the pedal, there's no edge, says Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager says side lacks desire and Luiz 'rolled around like dying swan' to get Rafael sent off

Juan Mata celebrates as his strike deflected off Phil Jones to give Chelsea a 1-0 win against Manchester United

Manchester United 0 Chelsea 1 match report: Chelsea show steel to put goal within touch

Champions League qualification hopes greatly enhanced after impressive victory

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'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in