Chelsea can kick on now for FA Cup glory and top 4 finish says their quarter-final match-winner Pedro
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Pedro insists Chelsea’s gritty FA Cup quarter-final win at Leicester will be a turning point to salvage their season.
The Stamford Bridge club’s Premier League title defence and hopes of glory on other fronts this season have been hammered in 2018.
They went out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals to Arsenal and last week were eliminated by Barcelona at the Champions League's first knockout stage, 4-1 on aggregate.
The Londoners have also been struggling in the top-flight, with four defeats in six games seeing them slip to fifth — five points adrift of Spurs in the final Champions league qualification spot with eight matches to go.
(Image: Getty)
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
(Image: Getty)
It means Roman Abramovich’s men are in grave danger of missing out on a top-four finish, amid growing uncertainty about manager Antonio Conte’s future.
But forward Pedro, who headed an extra-time winner on Sunday to set-up a Wembley semi-final against relegation candidates Southampton next month, says the hard-fought 2-1 victory has done much to restore the Blues' battered confidence.
The Spain international said: “It has come at a very important moment in the season and will help us go for this trophy and the top four.
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“It’s a good chance for us to finish the season well. There is a good atmosphere in the changing room to change this situation and to fight until the end for our targets.
“We have two months left in the season and all the players have to give the maximum. This is the way for us.
“I am very happy with the goal — to score, for the win and for us to go through to the next round. It was very important for us to get the confidence again and to help us fight until the end in the remaining games.
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“It’s a very difficult situation for us. But we are still fighting for the top four and the FA Cup. This win gives us a good moment. Now we have to enjoy this win, which can give confidence for the team.”
Pedro was also pleased for compatriot Alvaro Morata, who bagged his first goal since Boxing Day to open the scoring at Leicester.
The striker, signed last summer for £60million from Real Madrid, has endured a tough 2018 because of a back problem.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
(Image: Getty)
But club and country colleague Pedro added: “He’s in very good condition and it is perfect for the team. I’m very happy for him to score again and to give confidence for the team.
“Alvaro is a very good player and a very important one for us. It will give him more confidence from now until the end. He is in a good moment and good condition to fight and to play every game.
“I hope he will stay in this form from now until the end.”