Chelsea skipper Gary Cahill has blamed his sides woeful performance against Newcastle on many of his team-mates having ’one eye’ on next weeks FA Cup final against Manchester United.
The Blues slipped to an embarrassing 3-0 away defeat to Newcastle in their final league game of the season, even though they technically still had a chance of qualifying for the top four going into the game.
England centre-back Cahill was less than impressed with his sides performance at St.James Park and even seemed to question the work ethic of several of his team mates.
“That was a below par performance, and for whatever reason we were way off the pace today. Newcastle started very well and we were sloppy,” Cahill said after the game.
“It looked to me like everyone had one eye on the cup final which is very dangerous and we were lucky the game was kind of irrelevant.
“Had the Champions League truly been on the line it would have been very difficult to take. We came here to give a performance and take three points. Prior to the Huddersfield game we were in good form but that’s not an excuse.
“We have got a massive week now to prepare for a cup final. I’d certainly like to think people gave their all today, and to not do so would be extremely disappointing.
“I don’t care if you’re a top class player or a basic player, hard work is just a basic of the game.”
Chelsea’s loss means they finish this campaign in fifth place, which is a remarkable fall from grace for a side that won the Premier League title at a canter last season.