Cahill: Pressure back on Chelsea ahead of Man City showdown

Chelsea’s on-field skipper Gary Cahill admits the Blues’ slip-up at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday has piled the pressure back on ahead of their showdown with Manchester City this week.

Antonio Conte’s side still hold a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings, despite losing to the Eagles – going down 2-1 after two lightning fast goals from Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke cancelled out Cesc Fabregas’ opener.

Cahill, 31, has led the side out while wearing the captain’s armband for the most part this season – with veteran defender John Terry out of favour – but this was only the second home defeat under his stewardship this term.

And the England international knows that with Pep Guardiola’s Man City charges coming to town on Wednesday evening, all eyes will be on the title favourites with those behind them ready to pounce.

“Yes, there’s no point shying away from that,” he said, when asked if there is now more pressure on Wednesday’s game.

“If we’d got the result against Crystal Palace it would have eased the pressure but not getting the result adds to the pressure. Sometimes players respond better to that and let’s hope that’s the case.

“We’re disappointed but it’s a time to stay calm, re-focus and go again. Things have been going very well for us this season the majority of the time but it wasn’t to be.

“It’s a big game on Wednesday for everyone.”