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Loss to Spurs not an option for Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo tasted defeat for the first time as Chelsea manager on Wednesday © PA Photos

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Roberto Di Matteo has admitted Chelsea's clash with Tottenham on Saturday is one the Blues cannot afford to lose if they are to claim fourth place in the Premier League.

After falling well off the pace in the Premier League race, Chelsea have bounced back since Di Matteo replace Andre Villas-Boas at the helm.

The Blues were beaten for the first time under Di Matteo against Manchester City on Wednesday and trail Tottenham by five points.

Spurs travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime and Di Matteo has his sights trained on fourth place and nothing else.

"The team is fighting for fourth spot," Di Matteo said. "It is a game that we play at home and we want to take advantage of our home form, and a win would give us a big, big lift. Also if we manage to get a draw we are still in it. If we lose, it would be very difficult afterwards.

"I am not contemplating that [defeat] but if will be tough for sure. Mathematically it would be possible and we would fight.

"We will try. Our home form is good, we have not lost in 2012 at Stamford Bridge. We would like that to continue.

"We have confidence in the camp. Our target has to be fourth, if we get above that it would be good. But we have to target the fourth place. Confidence comes and it is good that we have that momentum. It is a big game for sure and one we would like the three points.

"It was a setback on Wednesday, but it was a great effort and from what people have seen they saw we created problems for City. We go into tomorrow's game with confidence and belief."

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