Gary Cahill admits Champions League exit is damaging

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has admitted that he expected much more from their Champions League campaign this season.

The holders crashed out of the competition in the group stages tonight despite thrashing Nordsjaelland 6-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Cahill scored a looping header in the convincing win but admitted that Chelsea's performances in this season's tournament as a whole have been way below par.

He told Sky Sports News: "At a club like Chelsea we hope to go for it but it isn't a great situation when it is like this.

"I'm not sure if we are unlucky to go out with 10 points, I said that straight after.

"But you like it to be in your own hands and I think the two results against Juventus were very damaging to us."

Rafael Benitez will hope to build on his first victory as Blues boss when Chelsea travel to Sunderland this weekend.