Last chance for silverware: Cahill wants Chelsea to bounce back with FA Cup win

Blues face Everton in quarter-final after being knocked out by PSG in Champions League

LIVERPOOL: Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has challenged his teammates to make amends for their frustrating Champions League exit by booking a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

After bowing out of Europe’s elite club competition with a 4-2 aggregate defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, the FA Cup is Chelsea’s last remaining opportunity to win silverware this season.

Guus Hiddink’s side travels to Everton in the quarter-finals today hoping to seal a last-four berth and remain on course to win the trophy their Dutch coach also lifted during his previous spell as Chelsea’s interim boss in 2009.



Even victory in the FA Cup final wouldn’t be enough to completely erase the bitter taste of disappointment from a season that began with Jose Mourinho in charge and many pundits predicting another league title.

But it would at least lift spirits a little and England international Cahill is keen to ensure Chelsea are fully focused when they arrive at Goodison Park.



“We need to refocus as we have one big chance to do something this season and the first hurdle is at the weekend,” said Cahill.

Diego Costa is a doubt for the Everton game as he had to be taken off against PSG. Eden Hazard is also a doubt and his lacklustre display was booed by a number of Chelsea fans, who have become accustomed to seeing the Belgian fail to replicate last season’s stellar displays.



Everton, on the other hand, also need a lift, having thrown away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to West Ham last Saturday.

That was the fifth time this season that Everton have failed to win after being two goals in front. “I just feel we need to take all the pain and experiences we’ve had throughout the season and now get our reward,” said manager Roberto Martinez. “You work really hard and when [you] don’t get the rewards you deserve it’s painful. The challenge is to prepare the team for a positive response in the next game.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2016.

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