• FA Cup

Everyone pulling in same direction - Cech

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Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech says that the only result Chelsea will accept in their FA Cup game with Birmingham on Saturday is a win, as they look to bounce back from a tough week.

Chelsea's players have come under pressure so far this season as they have dropped well off the title pace, and in particular the spotlight has shone on manager Andre Villas-Boas. The Blues fell to a 2-0 defeat to Everton last weekend and now Cech wants his team-mates to show that they are still capable of winning silverware by beating a Birmingham side who have only lost once in their last 16 games.

"You can see everybody is willing to change the situation we are in. The FA Cup is a perfect occasion to bounce back after the defeat at Everton where we didn't play well," said Cech. "It's a different competition, a different pressure and atmosphere in the cup games, so it is the perfect time.

"Birmingham is not our favourite team to play, more so away at St Andrews where we have struggled, and we lost there last season - but now we are at home and we want to win, we want to progress to win the FA Cup, so the only result acceptable is a win because we do not want a replay."

After the game Chelsea will have to prepare for next week's outing against Napoli in the Champions League and many have suggested that they will prioritise that competition over the FA Cup. Cech, though, still values English football's oldest cup competition.

The 29-year old explained: "I really like playing in the FA Cup, at Stamford Bridge you have more away supporters so the fans sing more at each other, it makes it special and you know you have to get it right on the day, otherwise you have failed.

"We've won it a few times and we know how sweet it is. The memories are always great and this is the oldest competition in the football world, so it is so prestigious and always great to be involved."

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