Guus Hiddink admits Chelsea's title challenge is over after the Blues were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Everton.

Hiddink's side are six points behind leaders Manchester United following Wednesday's Stamford Bridge stalemate and Sir Alex Ferguson's team can extend that advantage to nine points with a victory in their game in hand.

It would take a remarkable collapse from the reigning champions for Chelsea to get back in the race and Hiddink conceded the west London club's hopes of silverware now lie with next week's Champions League semifinal first leg against Barcelona and the FA Cup final against Everton next month.

"We said before the game that the two teams chasing Man Utd must not waste any points to keep in the race. The facts are we lost two points," Hiddink said.

"We must be realistic. Maybe mathematically there is still a chance but on the other hand you cannot waste points.

"Now it is difficult. We have to focus now on only two roads in the Champions League and later against Everton in the FA Cup."

The Blues made a slow start in Wednesday's FA Cup final dress rehersal, with Australia midfielder Tim Cahill and Brazil striker Jo both bringing fine saves from Petr Cech.

They gradually improved and finished well on top but couldn't deliver the knockout blow.

John Terry lashed in a fierce shot from 35 yards which Tim Howard pushed away for a corner.

Salomon Kalou should have broken the deadlock with 15 minutes to go but he headed over from Ashley Cole's cross.

Chelsea kept going until the end and Howard made a finger-tip stop to push over Kalou's rasping drive.

There was one last chance as Didier Drogba rattled the crossbar in stoppage time but Chelsea were out of luck.

Although the English crown is almost out of Chelsea's reach for a third successive season, Hiddink insists his players' commitment couldn't be questioned, even if their rudimentary approach left something to be desired.

"You can't blame the team or say there was no desire to work but we didn't work with the intelligence to break down this well-organised wall of Everton," Hiddink said.

"We started the game well, then when you are not creating chances and don't score, sometimes we have the tendancy to try to do too much and lose our positions and patience.

"We have to maintain our positions and not try to force it. But they had some counter-attacks as well and Petr Cech made some good saves."

With the title all but gone, Saturday's trip to West Ham offers Hiddink the chance to rest some of his weary players ahead of the Barcelona clash three days later.

(AFP via China Daily April 24, 2009)