Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has bemoaned his side's lack of depth following their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Southampton this afternoon.

Benitez left a number of usual starters on the bench for the match, including the likes of Ashley Cole, Ramires and Eden Hazard, while Juan Mata didn't even make the squad.

Chelsea are currently in a three-way battle with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal for two Champions League spots and Benitez is still confident that his side will finish in the top four despite what he described as a "really disappointing" defeat.

"We have a game in hand on Tottenham. We have to carry on and be ready for the next challenge," said Benitez.

"We don't have too many options in some positions so we have to manage the squad.

"We are really disappointed. We were giving the ball away too easily. The players playing today were playing to be in the Champions League next season."

Chelsea now sit fourth in the Premier League table, two points behind Spurs and two points ahead of Arsenal.