Hiddink admits title bid is over
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink says his side's push for the
Premier League title is now over following their 0-0 draw with Everton
on Wednesday.
The stalemate leaves them six points adrift of league leaders
Manchester United, who also have a game in hand.
And the Dutchman told BBC Sport: "We said before the match that
we could not drop any more points and we have.
"Mathematically we're in the title race but we have to be honest
and focus now on the Champions League and FA Cup."
The Blues have a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona
to look forward to, as well as the FA Cup final against Everton on 30
May.
And Hiddink says his side must be "more intelligent" in their
attacking if they are to succeed in those two competitions where they
failed against Everton.
"We worked hard, but it is not good enough just
working hard," he said after the Stamford Bridge clash.
"We wanted to get it wide and stretch the game but Everton kept
a lot of defenders back and made it hard for us - credit to them.
"At times like that we need to be more intelligent with our play
but, in the end, for all our endeavour, we didn't create much."
However, Hiddink insists his side will not be too downbeat about
their title challenge being over.
He said: "We will have our disappointment tonight, yes, but even
though we were in with a shout for the title mathematically before
this game, even we knew it would be tough.
"Now we will face the facts, be realistic, and focus on our
other two big events coming up.
"We have fought for the Premier League as hard as could, but in
a few days we have Barcelona and on the horizon the FA Cup, so we have
a lot still to play for this season other than the league."
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~As blue as i want to be~
