Gary Cahill hoping European defeat against Roma has shocked Chelsea into form
Antonio Conte’s side are back in European action on Wednesday with a long trip to Azerbaijan’s FK Qarabag
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Your support makes all the difference.Captain Gary Cahill hopes Chelsea’s heavy Champions League defeat to Roma will be the shock to the system that galvanises their season.
Antonio Conte’s side are back in European action on Wednesday with a long trip to Azerbaijan’s FK Qarabag - their first European assignment since a 3-0 defeat in Italy last month.
After Saturday’s 4-0 win at West Brom made it four successive Premier League wins for the Blues, Cahill hopes the miserable night in Rome will prove a turning point.
“After that there was a feeling that we needed to pull our finger out in terms of the performance and everything,” admitted Cahill.
“The way we lost was inacceptable for us. When you look in the mirror that performance was unacceptable.
“What’s good is we saw the reaction against Manchester United in a game that is a massive game, a massive fixture and a pressured game.
“We have slipped up a couple of games this season and we couldn’t afford to lose against teams like that at home.
“So all the pressure was on that game and we delivered so that’s the pleasing aspect.
“We’re building some momentum in the league and now we go back to the Champions League, which is important.
“We’ve had two difficult games against Roma but we started really well so it’s in our hands now and we know we need a win. We should go full of confidence.”
Eden Hazard starred at West Brom with two goals and an assist, with the Belgian now back to form following an early-season injury.
And Cahill believes the midfielder is re-establishing his credentials as one of the best creative players in Europe after handling some close attentions from West Brom defenders on Saturday.
“He’s obviously not one that is going to get hit and shy away from it so if that’s a tactic it’s not going to work,” said the England defender.
“It spurred him on and I thought he was terrific.
“He’s little but he’s robust and he picks himself up. He’s very difficult. It’s very difficult to get near him when he’s on form like he is and when he’s on form he’s great to watch.
“I think he has a pressure on his shoulders to deliver and produce a high calibre performance because he’s in that bracket where he’s a special player, not just in the Premier League but in world football and in Europe and the Champions League.
“Everyone is aware of his ability and want to see him perform so a lot of the time he does.
“Today [Saturday] he looked like he was having fun and enjoying himself in a good way.
“When he’s on that sort of form it’s beneficial but I must stress the team all around the pitch was collectively very good.”
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