Cahill stresses importance of back-to-back wins

Gary Cahill hopes Chelsea can start to build some momentum after claiming consecutive wins for the first time in two months.

The reeling Premier League champions followed up last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Norwich City with a 4-0 Champions League victory at Maccabi Tel Aviv on Tuesday night which leaves their Group G fate in their own hands.

A truer test of their resurgence will come at White Hart Lane, though, where Chelsea lost 5-3 on New Year’s Day.

“It’s important we keep this momentum going,” Cahill told Chelsea TV.

“It was (important) for a number of reasons. First and foremost and the most important one was for the Champions League and to make sure we put ourselves in a position to try to qualify top.

“But as well to build the momentum off the back of the Norwich result and keep building these wins and try to gather these wins to turn this around.

“It was important for a lot of reasons and very pleasing.”

Chelsea sit 10 points and 10 places behind Spurs, who are unbeaten in the Premier League since the opening game of the season.

“We’ve got this week to prepare for the Tottenham game,” Cahill added.

“They’re playing very well at the minute. I’ve no doubt it’ll be an entertaining game and one where we’re hoping to be on the end of right result.”

Chelsea’s defeat of Norwich ended a three-match losing streak in the Premier League and the win over Maccabi leaves Chelsea certain of qualification for the Champions League last 16 if they beat Mourinho’s former club Porto at Stamford Bridge on December 9.

Porto lost at home to Dynamo Kiev, who play Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final game and could also qualify, with the Israelis eliminated.

“We knew at half-time they (Kiev) were leading so it meant it was even more important for us,” Cahill added.

“We knew, if we won, it would be in our hands at Stamford Bridge. So bring it on.”

It was Cahill’s goal which began a rout which materialised only late on as 10-man Maccabi made Chelsea work for victory.

Willian’s free-kick goal and late headers from Oscar and Kurt Zouma, who is likely to replace Terry in the starting line-up, completed the win.