The two managers know each other well from their time in Italy, and Sarri admitted he expected his rival's charges to play more proactively
Maurizio Sarri conceded he was surprised by Rafael Benitez's tactics after Chelsea claimed a 2-1 Premier League win at Newcastle United.
Sarri's men maintained their 100 per cent start to the season in controversial fashion, a contentious Eden Hazard penalty awarded after a Fabian Schar challenge on Marcos Alonso - in which the Switzerland international seemed to make contact with the ball - giving them the lead.
That gave Chelsea a helping hand after 76 minutes of frustration, the Blues having until then failed to break down a Newcastle side set up to soak up pressure.