A hat-trick from captain Yossi Benayoun helped Israel make a winning start as they beat Malta 3-1 in the Euro 2012 qualifying Group F opener in Tel Aviv last night.

Benayoun, who joined Chelsea from Liverpool during the summer, put the hosts ahead inside seven minutes. Having already had a strike ruled out, he produced a composed finish, slotting Lior Rafaelov’s pass into the net.

Yosssi Benayoun has lifted the lid on his childhood torment after silencing his doubters with a dream move to Chelsea.

As a teenager, Benayoun was fiercely criticised for turning down the chance to join Dutch side Ajax and supposedly throwing away the opportunity of a lifetime.

At just 16, the talented midfielder was already one of the most talked about youngsters in European football and enjoyed a successful trial with the Amsterdam club.

Yossi Benayoun has revealed that former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez to be the reason behind his departure from Liverpool to Chelsea., accusing the Spaniard of trying to break him and treating him with disrespect.

In an interview with the News of The World, Benayoun said: " Everyone asks me why I left Liverpool. There is only one reason - Rafa Benitez. I agreed to join Chelsea before Roy Hodgson was appointed Liverpool's new manager.”

“I made up my mind to leave a long time ago as he never treated me with the respect I deserved. If I played well, I never felt he gave me credit."

Israel captain Yossi Benayoun joined Premier League champions Chelsea on a four-year deal on Friday.

Benayoun, 30, was at Stamford Bridge on Thursday where he had a personal meeting with club owner Roman Abramovich before agreeing a contract.

The Israeli will reportedly earn £70,000 a week and Chelsea will pay Liverpool an estimated £6.5 million transfer fee.

Benayoun told Chelsea's website: "I am very excited to come to a club like Chelsea, it is a big club and I think it is a dream for every player."

Reports from Israel say that Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti instructed the club’s management to reach a separate agreement with Liverpool over the signing of Yossi Benayoun.

The transfer of the Israeli to Chelsea became bogged down in the past few weeks because it was part of a more complex package designed to bring Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to Stamford Bridge as well.

Yossi Benayoun has agreed a four-year contract with Chelsea.

Reports in Israel say that Chelsea and Liverpool reached a compromise transfer fee today clearing the way for Israel’s captain to move to Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League champions had a £4 million offer for midfielder rejected last month by Liverpool who were demanding £10 million.

Benayoun, 30, who is on holiday in Israel, will fly back to England later this week to undergo a medical at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.