Rafael Benitez relaxed over top-four battle

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that his side must remain calm during their battle to clinch a place in the top four of the Premier League this season.

The Blues moved back above Tottenham Hotspur into third this weekend with a 2-1 win over Sunderland on Sunday after Spurs had been held to a 2-2 draw by Everton on the same day.

Arsenal also kept up the pressure by winning on Saturday, and Benitez says that the Stamford Bridge outfit must not panic in the race for the Champions League spots.

"We knew that we had to win and especially because [Tottenham and Arsenal] will continue winning," Benitez told Chelsea TV. "The main thing for me is the big picture, so keep calm. We have a good team, if we perform at our level we can win against anyone.

"You have some bad games and good games but it will be the same for them.

"We have to carry on. We have one game in hand on Tottenham so if we can do well, especially against them, maybe it's a game that can mean six points."

Chelsea turn their attention to Rubin Kazan, whom they face in the Europa League on Thursday.