Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez bemoaned the penalty decision that brought Basel back into the game in the Europa League semifinal first leg, but was happy with his team's response which saw them eke out a 2-1 win.
David Luiz scored a late winner to give Chelsea a huge advantage going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Fabian Schar seemed to have given Basel a 1-1 draw after a controversial late penalty kick, with Victor Moses having given Chelsea an early lead.
Benitez could not quite fathom the penalty decision, with Cesar Azplicueta penalised for an infringement on Valentin Stocker, although there did not seem much wrong with the challenge from the Chelsea defender.
"For us it wasn't a penalty," Benitez said. "To give a penalty it had to be very clear.
"I couldn't see why it was a penalty. The ball was in the air and it was a very, very strange decision.
"We had this feeling that we didn't deserve to concede this goal so it was extra motivation. David Luiz is good at taking free-kicks but the keeper could have saved it, but at the end everyone was thinking this was fair.
"We had to work hard to the end. We had chances in counter-attack when we could have scored the second goal. The penalty was a surprise for everyone but the second goal at the end was good enough."
Benitez reserved special praise for Moses and Ramires, who had decent games in the wide positions.
"It was a very intense match, high tempo, and we knew that we were playing a team that don't lose at home and beat a lot of teams," he added.
"We had chances in counter-attack, could have scored more goals and I will it say again, Basel are a good team.
"I was really pleased with the wide players, Ramires on the right and Victor Moses on the left.
"I was pleased with the rest of the team as well but these two were very important players in different positions, defending like a full-back in some areas and attacking like a winger. They were doing a great job for the team."
Chelsea, though, were handed a blow with Ashley Cole, who was returning from a three-week injury layoff, ruled out of the second leg after picking up a needless yellow card.
"I played Ashley because Basel were very dangerous in this area and they have pace," Benitez said. "He played very well and we were surprised with the yellow card, it was too quick.
"We will miss Ashley for the second leg but Ryan (Bertrand) is doing well anyway."
Basel coach Murat Yakin felt his side were unlucky to lose to Chelsea. "We were trying to dominate the match and be creative all match long," Yakin said. "We were well-organised but Chelsea were also well-organised and were set up well in defence.
"We didn't find free space. They took advantage of set-pieces with the tall players they have in the team.
"The fans must have loved the game seeing all the chances there were. Towards the end it looked like Chelsea were happy with the 1-1 draw as well, but we lacked a little bit of concentration."
