Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that his side's match with Tottenham Hotspur could determine who qualify for the Champions League next season.
The Blues were due to face Spurs this weekend, but the fixture was rearranged to accommodate their FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City on Sunday.
Only goal difference separates the two London rivals in the Premier League table, and Benitez has claimed that their meeting at Stamford Bridge could effectively count double in the race for the top four.
"We knew that we had to win [against Sunderland] and especially because they [Tottenham and Arsenal] will continue winning," Benitez told Chelsea TV.
"The main thing for me is the big picture, so keep calm. We have a good team, if we perform at our level, we can win against anyone. You have some bad games and good games but it will be the same for them.
"We have to carry on. We have one game in hand on Tottenham so if we can do well, especially against them, maybe it's a game that can mean six points."
A date for Chelsea's rescheduled match with Spurs has yet to be confirmed.
Joe Fish
