Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has hit back at critics of his tactics for defeat to Chelsea.

Benitez has played down talk of using negative tactics following stinging criticism Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness.

Newcastle managed just 19% possession after the game but Benitez argued that statistics count for very little.

He said: “I remember a long time ago, I don't know if it was Guardiola at Barcelona, but they played against Celtic and they had 80 per cent against 20 per cent and they lost 2-0, so possession now is just for the TV, for the stats.

“It means nothing.

“If you create five chances like yesterday, which Wolves did against Manchester City was an amazing game and they had 71 per cent of possession, so possession means nothing.

“You have to create chances, you have to be solid and you have to do what you have to do to maximise what you have.

“Each one has his own tools."

Benitez then went on: “When I was at Liverpool, we beat Real Madrid 4-0 at home; we were very offensive.

“When I was at Napoli, we were attacking all the time; we were offensive.

“When you are at Newcastle United, you have to manage because you are in the Premier League and you have what you have.

“I want to give credit to my players for the effort that they make in every game, but it depends on the car that you have.

“You have to drive one way or another way and each team is different.

“Yesterday I saw some games with the same system, and it depends on the players that you have.

“You can play with the same system in one way or another way."

And in response to the pundits who criticised his tactics, Benitez said: “I haven't lost any game before the game and anyone can be right after the game."