RAFA BENITEZ has launched a staunch defence of his tactics after Newcastle United were left still searching for a first win of the new Premier League season when Chelsea won 2-1 at St James’ Park.

Benitez, who played down an alleged rift with Jamaal Lascelles over his proposed role in a back five by insisting he was injured, sent the Magpies out with an intention to counter-attack against the Blues.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri even admitted afterwards that he was not expecting his counterpart to take such an approach.

There was also criticism of the Newcastle style from the Sky Sports studios, with Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness suggesting the Tyneside crowd should not be overly impressed.

But Benitez, who led his team to a strong finish last season and didn’t sign the calibre of players in the transfer market he would have liked in the summer, has hit back – despite knowing Chelsea left with three points and leaving Newcastle with just 19 per cent possession.

“A long time ago, Barcelona had 80 per cent against 20 per cent and they lost the game, the stats are just for the TV,” said Benitez. “Yesterday Wolves, Man City had 71 per cent possession and didn’t win. You have to do what you have to do. That’s it.”

He added: “Obviously we were nearly there, very close. Last year we were the best team in the bottom ten, so maybe you could say for that, if you have heart, you know your heart and you have to try to embrace what you have.

“When I was with Liverpool we beat Real Madrid 4-0 at home, we were offensive, when I was at Napoli I was offensive, attacking all the time. When I am Newcastle United I have to manage, I have what I have.

“I have to give credit to my players for the effort they have. It depends on the card you have and each team is different. Yesterday I saw some games, with the same system, it depends what you have.

“It is not about me and tactics, it is about players, the bigger picture. Last season we were the best team in the bottom ten and we hope to do the same again. I am not happy with how we gave the ball away.

“I like to play with five strikers if I can. In all my life we have to be organised, playing attacking football and to score more goals than the others.

“I like to be organised defensively, but now, again, I was watching teams yesterday playing 5-4-1 and it was said they are great tactician because someone has an opinion on TV. I was watching and I don’t agree with some decisions. As a manager you have to make your own decisions.”

Newcastle had battled away with five at the back to hold Chelsea until the 76th minute when Eden Hazard slotted away a penalty following Fabian Schar’s foul on Marcos Alonso.

Seven minutes later Newcastle levelled things up when Joselu headed in DeAndre Yedlin’s cross, even though the Blues felt Olivier Giroud had been struck by the arm of the American in the build up.

Less than four minutes later Chelsea hit the winner. Newcastle’s failure to deal with a free-kick ended with Yedlin turning in Alonso’s volley through a crowded box and there was no way back for the home side.

“In the end I was frustrated, we worked so hard, we were very close,” said Benitez. “Against these teams you can lose because they play a crucial pass, or ball behind, or fantastic cross, so to concede two goals, a penalty that was doubtful, and a free kick that was doubtful. We are disappointed with the second ball though.

“I am not happy with the penalty, I will have to analyse it carefully. I will not complain too much about that. I am more concerned about the second goal because after the foul we have to have more concentration.”

And Benitez explained Lascelles’ absence by saying: “All my life I like to talk with players, we decide with what we have to do, everyone knows that. If players have different opinions then we have to speak about it, that’s it, and then we stick to the plan.”

He added: “We had six players out of the team, Javier Manquillo, Jamaal and Jonjo Shelvey were injured, Kenedy couldn’t play and Isaac Hayden was suspended.

“For us we had to concede for a team like us to lose six players we had problems. Jonjo was tight. Maybe he will need a couple of weeks. Jamaal hopefully will be fine for the next game.”

Chelsea boss Sarri was surprised to have come up against Benitez’s defensive tactics, having got to understand his style and appreciate his tactical acumen from their time in Italy.

The former Napoli boss, whose side have joined Liverpool on nine points at the top of the table, said: “We knew it would be a difficult game for us, especially for us and for every team.

“Newcastle last season … Chelsea lost here, Manchester United lost here, Arsenal lost here. I think it is not so easy to play here against this opponent.

“And this match has been more difficult because in Italy I have never seen Rafa play with five defenders. They were so compact in there and it was so difficult. We needed to move the ball very fast.

“I don’t know (if teams will be as defensive against us). In Italy it was usual for me, of course not against Inter, Roma, Juventus, but the last ten in the league it was usual. I am not sure about in England.

“I think it shows character of the team because to win here is difficult, it is difficult for every team here. To draw with five minutes from the end, it would have been more difficult. This team, from the character is a strong point of view.”