Di Matteo: Race for fourth will go to wire‬

Roberto di Matteo believes the race for Champions League qualification will go right to the wire - but is confident Chelsea will finish in the top four.‬

‪The Blues missed the chance to move level with Tottenham and Newcastle after being held to a 1-1 draw with Fulham on Monday night.‬

‪Frank Lampard’s first-half penalty was cancelled out by Clint Dempsey’s late header as Chelsea had to settle for a point at Craven Cottage.‬

‪The result means Di Matteo’s side remain sixth in the Premier League - two points behind fourth-placed Spurs, who were beaten by Norwich at White Hart Lane.‬

‪“I think it is going to go down to the last game," the manager told ‬chelseafc.com‪.‬

‪“It is a very competitive league. We have an experienced team and very good players and we will raise our game for the next challenge.‬

‪“When you are playing catch up the pressure is always on the team behind because the other teams can slip up.‬

‪“We are closer to that fourth spot than we were. We have got another point closer to Tottenham and that is how I see it, we have to think positively.”‬

‪Di Matteo was without Ashley Cole for the trip to Fulham and the England left-back is now a major doubt for this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final meeting with Spurs.‬

‪Cole could also miss the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona three days later.‬