Calum McFarlane urges Chelsea to match Spurs intensity ahead of decisive Sunderland game

Calum McFarlane urges Chelsea to match Spurs intensity ahead of decisive Sunderland game

Chelsea conclude their Premier League campaign with a decisive trip to Sunderland on Sunday, with both sides still chasing a place in European competition for the 2026/27 season.

Interim head coach Calum McFarlane has called on his squad to reproduce the fight and determination shown in their 2-1 victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, insisting the same intensity will be required again.

McFarlane, who will take charge of Chelsea for the final time at the Stadium of Light, expects a testing atmosphere and a difficult challenge against opponents equally desperate for three points.

He remains confident that the group possess the qualities needed to finish the season on a positive note and secure European qualification.

"It's going be a great game. Both teams need to win as well," said McFarlane in his pre-match press conference at Cobham.

"Sunderland have had a brilliant season. They're a really good side, a really challenging side, they cause you real problems.

"So we need one more push, one more big game, another three points and hopefully get ourselves up that table.

"We need to face what's in front of us. We're more than capable of going there and winning the game, but we know we have to be at our best to get three points because they're a very good side."

He believes Chelsea's recent momentum provides a platform to finish strongly and emphasised that concentration levels must remain high throughout the 90 minutes.

Victory would ensure European football next season and complete a demanding campaign positively. 

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