Rafael Benitez refuses to blame Branislav Ivanovic for Chelsea loss

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has defended Branislav Ivanovic following Wednesday's first-leg defeat to Swansea City in the Capital One Cup semi-finals.

The Serbian defender was at fault for both of Swansea's goals as the Welsh club earned themselves a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

"Any player making mistakes is not a big issue," Benitez told Sky Sports News. "The main thing is they try to do things after and Ivanovic was trying to do his best, and the team was creating chances.

"It's something that can happen in football, and the main thing is to keep going for the next game."

Chelsea travel to the Liberty Stadium for the return leg on January 23.