Chelsea captain Gary Cahill has admitted that his side are relying on the FA Cup to "rescue" themselves, as he targets a happy end to the season.
The Blues beat Southampton 2-0 in Sunday's semi-final to set up a meeting with Manchester United, prolonging their campaign by an extra month.
Following disappointing exits in the EFL Cup and Champions League earlier in the season, as well as being five points adrift of a top-four spot in the Premier League, Cahill concedes that the meeting with United is now an all-or-nothing showdown.
"The league has not gone as expected. We realise the history says to win it back to back and keep winning the league season after season is very difficult," he told reporters. "We have not managed to do that this year. So, if we did manage to win the FA Cup, it would somewhat rescue the season.
"There's no point shying away from that. It's a huge trophy. [In the league] all we can do now is try to win our games. The gap is big and you're looking at some very good teams above us so I would be very surprised if they slipped."
Cahill also has aspirations of earning a recall to the England squad ahead of the World Cup finals in Russia, having been left out entirely for the recent friendlies with the Netherlands and Italy.
"I think the performances of late as well as the last couple of wins have been good for us," he added. "Everything is a possibility when you're playing, hence why I am happy. I am back out there and let's see what happens at the end of the season. We have gone into the final and the World Cup is coming, so let's wait and see."
Cahill has featured 33 times in all competitions for Chelsea this term, including the full 90 minutes in each of their last four matches.
Daniel Lewis
