Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo is remaining positive in the battle for fourth despite his side's 1-1 draw at Fulham on Monday.
It will go to the last game, says Chelsea manager
Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo is remaining positive in the battle for fourth despite his side's 1-1 draw at Fulham on Monday.
Clint Dempsey's late headed equaliser dashed Chelsea's hopes of moving level on points with Tottenham and Newcastle in the race for the final UEFA Champions League spot.
But after suffering just one defeat in 11 matches since the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, the interim manager still feels progress has been made.
Di Matteo said: "You look at it and we are closer to fourth than we were.
"We were always playing catch-up, so the situation was difficult from the start.
"We have to look at it positively. We are closer now than we were a month ago."
The 41-year-old boss also revealed his belief that Chelsea's league placing will remain undecided until the final game of the season.
"In the second half, we could not quite get the second goal," he added.
Pattern
"It has been a bit of a pattern this season, conceding late goals, but we put a big effort in to win this game.
"We will raise ourselves to the next challenge. You could not have written off Newcastle. I think it will go down to the last game."
With an FA Cup semi-final against Spurs at Wembley on Sunday, followed by the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final against holders Barcelona in midweek, Chelsea could do without any injury and suspension concerns.
However, there are problems facing the Blues back-line due to John Terry's cracked ribs, Branislav Ivanovic's possible three-match ban for an alleged punch on Wigan's Shaun Maloney and Ashley Cole emerging as a new doubt.
"Terry is OK," added Di Matteo. "We will assess all the players in the next few days, but he is in some discomfort. He is taking painkillers. It will take time and it won't heal overnight.
"I am not going to comment on (the Ivanovic) situation. Ashley is one to assess over the next few days. I hope he will be available for the next game."
