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Gary Cahill: This is what Manchester United defeat has done to Chelsea
GARY CAHILL admits Sunday's defeat to Manchester United has given Chelsea a "kick up the backside" in the Premier League title race.
Gary Cahill says Manchester United defeat was a kick up the backside
Chelsea slipped to a surprise 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, which saw Tottenham close the gap on the Premier League leaders to just four points.
But Cahill is confident Chelsea will respond with a win over Southampton in their next league outing, just like they did against Manchester City and Bournemouth when they lost to Crystal Palace earlier this month.
Before Chelsea face Southampton next Tuesday, the Blues take on Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday (5.15pm).
Chelsea lost 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford
The 31-year-old defender told the Evening Standard: "That defeat has given us all a kick up the backside.
"We know the league is not over, that it will be difficult, but we know we are more than capable of doing it. I certainly think we can win our last six league games.
"We just need to come back from this now. We need to lean on the experience we have in the dressing room and the players that have been through all this before.
Tottenham are just four points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea
"We can't let things get too twisted, after all we lost at Old Trafford which is a very tough place to go to.
"The most disappointing thing is we didn't play to the levels we are used too or the levels we expect. It can happen. But that is why we were so angry in the dressing room afterwards.
"It is important we respond this week. We have to show the same response we did after losing to Crystal Palace, when we beat Manchester City and Bournemouth."