Rafa Benitez says he was too focussed on Newcastle to hear Chelsea fans’ jeers

Rafa Benitez insists he did not notice the Chelsea fans' jeering his return to the club, saying he was too focused on his Newcastle team.

The Spaniard was making his first return to Chelsea since guiding the club to the Europa League title and Champions League qualification in 2013 during an interim spell at Stamford Bridge.

Despite his success during that short six-month stint, many Chelsea fans harbour negative feelings towards Benitez because of his rich history with Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Indeed, Benitez's name was met by boos by many Chelsea supporters ahead of the club's league game with Newcastle on Saturday, which the Blues won 3-1, while he was subjected to a derogatory chant during the game itself.

But the 57-year-old insists he did not notice the reception he got from the Chelsea fans, telling reporters: "I didn't realise [their reaction]. I was focused on the game."

Newcastle had led the game 1-0 after just 12 minutes when Dwight Gayle capitalised on some sloppy play from the hosts.

But a brace from Eden Hazard and another goal from Alvaro Morata completed a comeback win for Chelsea.

And Benitez told Sky Sports afterwards that mistakes from his Magpies side and, indeed, the form of Hazard contributed to his side's downfall in west London.

He said: "We made mistakes against good players, with the quality they have, they punish you.

"We were in the game and you never know what can happen at one each, 2-1. A top side played against a team that was giving everything.

"We knew him [Hazard] really well, it's not just a free role. He has good movements. You cannot control everyone. When he received the ball he can make the difference. We were doing quite well for a while but mistakes made the difference."