Chelsea has had a 'great' season

Chelsea has had a 'great' season - Chelsea is enjoying a "great" season which could get even better, claims manager Rafa Benitez.

The 52-year-old is in a fine mood after his side overcame Manchester United in their FA Cup quarterfinal replay on Monday to set up a Wembley clash with Manchester City, while the team remains in the hunt for Champions League qualification and faces Rubin Kazan in the Europa League.

"It's a great season. It could be even better. It's important for everyone here. We worked so hard at Old Trafford [in the first game] and we deserved to win in the end," Benitez told reporters after the win.

"Against a very good United team, we had one or two chances to settle the game. They had one or two to score but we deserved it."

Benitez: Chelsea has had a 'great' season

The Spaniard was criticized for making a number of changes to the side which fell to a 2-1 loss at Southampton on Saturday but insists that he did what he had to do to negotiate a schedule of six games in 16 days and warns against overreaction over a single result.

"Before the international break, we played against United, Steaua Bucharest and West Ham. We were the best in the world after those games," Benitez added. "Then we lost against Southampton on Saturday and we're the worst in the world. You have to have balance.

"The priority for us is to finish in the top four, we know that, but at a top side you have to win each competition."

By Husmukh Kerai | Goal.com – 1 hour 9 minutes ago