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Rafael Benitez has been named Barclays Manager of the Month after an October which saw Liverpool pick up maximum Barclays Premier League points and end Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home league record. Liverpool began the month by overturning a two-goal half time deficit away at Manchester City to record a last-gasp victory. Trailing again going into the last ten minutes of their home clash with Wigan, goals from Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt saw them edge the encounter 3-2. Liverpool's title chances were handed a boost with victory at Stamford Bridge, as Xabi Alonso's first-half effort proved enough to claim all three points and leave Chelsea tasting their first Barclays Premier League home defeat in over four years. The Reds ended the month with another win as a late Steven Gerrard penalty proved enough to see off the challenge of Portsmouth at Anfield. The award is Rafael Benitez's fourth, his last coming in January 2007. Only six managers have won the prize on more occasions, including Sir Alex Ferguson with 21 and Arsene Wenger's ten. Benitez is the only Spaniard to have won the prize.
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