John Terry hails influence of Roberto Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo: Praised by John Terry

The Italian left the club following a dismal run of just two victories in eight games in all competitions.Chelsea skipper John Terry paid tribute to out-going manager Roberto Di Matteo who was sacked by the club following their 3-0 defeat by Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday.

But Terry was quick to praise Di Matteo who was also a player at Stamford Bridge between 1996 and 2000.

Terry wrote in his programme notes ahead of Sunday's game with Manchester City, said: "It has been a difficult week all round both on and off the pitch.

"I want to say that it was a privilege to play for Robbie. I had the pleasure, as a YTS player growing up, of watching and learning from him and to go on and play under him as captain was an honour.

"To win two competitions last season, including the Champions League that we had wanted for so long, was incredible.

"Robbie is a great man and an absolute legend. We wish him every success in the future, because saying thanks doesn't seem enough."

@SKYSports

Rafa Benitez unveiled at Chelsea and Interview - Zenden on the staff

Rafa Benitez: Unveiled at Stamford Bridge on Thursday

The former Liverpool manager has been installed as Chelseamanager until the end of the season following the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo on Wednesday.Rafa Benitez has vowed to win over Chelsea fans after the news of his appointment was met with a hostile reaction from the Stamford Bridge faithful.

There was some surprise that Benitez was willing to accept a short-term contract, but the 52-year-old said the chance to manage Chelsea was too good to pass up.

"My priority was to work in the Premier League, I'm really happy to be here with a top side," said Benitez, who confirmed that Boudewijn Zenden.

"For me the most important thing is I am here because I want to be here. I was looking for the right opportunity, I was looking for a top side who can fight for trophies.

"I don't care about the short-term (deal), what I have in my head is to win every game. We have five trophies to fight for. We will see what happens, in seven months we can win some trophies.

"At this level you are expected to win, do it well, and win trophies. I have a lot of years' experience at this level, and I will do what I have to do to win games.

"I like to do things in the right way for the fans. I am sure they will be happy with a manager with a winning mentality."

Benitez was also quizzed on his previous comments about Chelsea made while he was in charge of Liverpool, many of which were less than sympathetic towards the team and supporters.

He said: "I want to be honest, if I say this or that, I have to analyse the context. We were playing against Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

"If I am a fan I want to see the manager fighting for my club. I don't see this as a lack of respect for Chelsea's fans, just a manager defending his team before an important game."

The former Inter Milan boss, who also strongly hinted John Terry would stay on as captain, said he was not put off by talk he is simply keeping the hot-seat warm for Pep Guardiola.

"I have a very good relationship with Guardiola," he added. "He is a great manager, what will happen in future I don't know.

"When you analyse why go to a top side for seven months - it's because you can win trophies."

@SKYSports

Reading Vs Tottenham Post-Match Players Performances Analysis by Roberto Rivelino

Tottenham fans have to be happy. It was a good and deserved win.

Everyone seemed to go along and the team work was above all else. The players looked confident with the ball on their feet and at a tactical level they were all together and complemented each other.
Enjoyed Vertonghen's exhibition a lot. He surely could've been the Man of the Match had Defoe not scored those two goals and made that performance.

I was utterly disappointed with Gareth Bale. Missed two good chances and he wasn't even on his level, or what he used us to see. Still, he scored the 0-2 goal, with both feet, and got the ovation as he was replaced.
Sigurdsson was class and surely he will try and make Tottenham fans forget Luka Modric. He even has some resemblances with the Croatian, specially after the pass that opened the Reading defense and gave Lennon the assist for Defoe's first goal. He's composed and seems that the pressure of playing for a bigger team isn't affecting him.

Jermaine Defoe was classic. Scored two goals, but it could've been more. He runned all over the place and ruined Reading's defense as well. He's in a great shape and if Villas-Boas doesn't repeats what he did on Porto (by taking some of the players in form to the bench until they lost their boost - I don't believe he did it on purpose, he's just naive), Defoe will scored more goals than he did on the previous 2 seasons and will keep his feud as one of the best Tottenham strikers. Scored two great goals, with the second being labelled as a Wonder as Defoe picked the ball on half-way line and in the end sent the ball to the net with his left feet. Also he had more shots than any other Premier League player this weekend with 9, boosting his overall tally to a league of 26 this season. Man of the Match.