Gary Cahill has called on Chelsea to show character and ambition as they look to challenge for a top-four finish following their win over Crystal Palace.

The Blues, who are priced at 4.50 to lift the FA Cup this season, ended a run of three games without a win in all competitions to pick up all three points against Palace at Stamford Bridge.

Willian opened the scoring midway through the first half before Martin Kelly put through his own net shortly after the half hour mark in west London.

Former Chelsea man Patrick van Aanholt pulled one back for the Eagles in the 90th minute, but Palace couldn’t find an equaliser in additional time with the game ending 2-1.

Chelsea have struggled for form in the second half of the term, having won only five of their last 15 engagements in all competitions, and they now face a fight to claim a top-four spot.

Cahill insists Chelsea, who sit fifth, can still bridge the gap to fourth place in the remaining eight games but has stressed the importance of showing character. “Top four is the ambition,” Cahill said.

“We’ve put ourselves in a difficult situation and we now have to work hard. The results haven’t gone our way since the Bournemouth game and we’re in a tough spot. We need to show the same character and ambition we did today to finish in the top four.”