liverpool's first match after the final was against arsenal, a match the club needed to win to stay in touch with the top four. two goals from robin van persie, after liverpool had scored in the first half meant that liverpool lost 2–1 and were 10 points behind the team in 4th place, which would ensure qualification for the uefa champions league the following season. liverpool's league form continued to falter after the final; they won four of their last thirteen matches and ended the season in eighth place. despite their poor league form, liverpool reached the final of the fa cup against chelsea. but they were unable to win a second trophy and lost 2–1. cardiff played west ham united in their first match after the final, which they lost 2–0. despite the loss, they only needed to win one more in their remaining thirteen matches to finish in 6th place and qualify for the championship playoffs. they faced third placed west ham united, in the playoffs, which were contested over two-legs, with one at each team's home ground. cardiff were unable to secure a second wembley final, as west ham united won 5–0 on aggregate.