Gary Cahill has accepted Chelsea are effectively playing to win the FA Cup this season, with the defender giving up on catching Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in the top four following a 1-1 draw with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea dominated the Premier League clash on home turf and went in 1-0 up at half time thanks to a goal from Cesar Azpilicueta.
But West Ham made Chelsea pay for not turning their dominance and chance creating into goals when Javier Hernandez netted with 17 minutes left.
It was Hernandez's ninth goal against Chelsea throughout his career and made sure the contest finished 1-1.
The Blues are fifth in the league standings and ten points behind fourth placed Tottenham, while they are ten off third placed Liverpool with a game in hand.
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But Cahill does not expect Chelsea's rivals to drop points and is pinning saving the Blues' season on the FA Cup.
"The season is about trying to win the FA Cup", he told Chelsea TV.
"For sure the way that I play and the way that my team-mates play we don't give up on anything, but if you're asking me if Tottenham are going to drop eight points, a good team don't let that kind of lead slip.
"So I'd be very doubtful that's where it would be at and I think we've got the FA Cup to rescue the season", Cahill added.
Chelsea are next in action on Saturday against Southampton, who they then again meet on 22nd September in their FA Cup semi-final tie.
