Jamie Redknapp slams Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez’s tactics against Chelsea as ‘hard to watch’
Former Liverpool midfielder was critical of the Toon manager's negative game plan during loss to Blues
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NEWCASTLE boss Rafa Benitez was slammed by Jamie Redknapp over his tactics against Chelsea.
The 45-year-old ripped into the Spaniard's style of play during half-time, where he branded the Magpies' performance as "hard to watch" and "not football".
Redknapp was shocked at how Newcastle - playing at St James' Park - were inviting the pressure from Chelsea during the goalless first half, as he hit out at the club's ambition.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the ex-Liverpool midfielder said at half-time: "It’s been hard to watch. It’s not football. It’s working, yeah, but it’s not football.
"He’s the only manager in the Premier League who can get away with this, he’s made a living out of playing this way.
"It’s hard to watch, it’s hard to sell to your own team."
The Toon ultimately suffered an agonising 2-1 defeat against the Blues, after DeAndre Yedlin netted an 87th minute own goal.
Eden Hazard broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 76th minute, before Joselu equalised in the 83rd with a clinical header.
And Redknapp was equally as critical at full-time, adding: "I don’t buy into those tactics. If you’re going to the Etihad, against the champions, by all means. But not at home, the possession stats are embarrassed.
“If you’re a Newcastle player in that dressing room, you’re embarrassed. Because you know you can play more.”
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Former Newcastle boss Graeme Souness said: "Newcastle nearly got away with it. When you play that way, defend deep, things will be unkind to you on occasion.
"It wasn't a great watch from Newcastle. It must be a hard sell to the players, because players at any level think they can play."
Blues boss Maurizio Sarri admitted even he was taken aback by Benitez's negative tactics.
He said: "I was surprised. Ihave never seen in Italy Benitez with five defenders. So at the beginning I was really surprised."