Guus Hiddink has admitted that Chelsea's title ambitions are over for this season.
Following the 0-0 draw at home to Everton last night, the temporary boss of the Blues said: "We will now focus on our Champions League matches [against Barcelona] and the end of season FA Cup Final against Everton.
"We always said that the two sides chasing Manchester United could not afford to drop any points to keep in the race.
"It's still mathematically possible but we have to be realistic."
Hiddink revealed that Chelsea are still not the finished article.
"We had desire and started well," said the Dutchman.
"But we have a tendency to overdo it and lose patience and position. We did not need to force it.
In the second half we worked hard but we did not work with the needed intelligence to break Everton down.
"They counter attacked well."
Hiddink also accepted the criticism levelled at the recent performances of Petr Cech.
"I was happy with Cech. He has won a personal, victory. The way he put his head into the challenge late on with Jo proves that.
"I was not tempted to rest him. He had some bad games but recovered and was relaxed tonight.
"Every player has the right not to be at their peak performances all the time.
"We speak but I don't want to over explain the issue."
Hiddink, who will leave Chelsea at the end of May and return full-time to his job as Russian boss said the players are disappointed with the draw and he could now rest a few players.
"I will analyse the game and see if any of the players are in the "overload zone" to see if they need resting," said Hiddink.
On the wider front and with Barcelona looming next week, Hiddink has still to work out his defensive line-up. On the injury front, he revealed Ricardo Carvalho is doubtful for Saturday's visit to West Ham and thus the Champions League semi final first leg in Spain on the following Tuesday.
Also he has worries as to who will replace suspended Ashley Cole.
"I have options in my mind," he said.
"But it's too early to make a decision to say for sure. We are working on things in training."