Chelsea yachapwa 4-1, yatemwa Big Four

ROBERTO DI MATTEO defended the decision to rest his Champions League chasers.

Chelsea crashed to their biggest loss this season — ending any hope of finishing fourth — after changing EIGHT of Saturday’s FA Cup-winning side against Liverpool.

Boss Di Matteo said: “It was not about taking a risk. We played a fresh team, more energetic, to give us more chance.”

Skipper John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires did play but the trio are banned for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich a week on Saturday.

Michael Essien’s own goal plus strikes from Jordan Henderson, Daniel Agger and Jonjo Shelvey condemned the Blues to sixth place in the Premier League.

It is their lowest finish in a decade and they must now win the Champions League to be back in it next year.

Di Matteo added: “This was our 19th game in nine weeks.

“We played every three days and only by utilising the squad have we reached the final and won the Cup.

“We used similar players at Arsenal and used the strength of the group.

“We lost many points during the whole season, so it’s not just this game. It’s the 37 games so far.

“Liverpool were better than us. They were inspired — and they scored their goals at the right time.”

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish gained revenge for Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup final defeat.

He said: “It was an excellent performance. It’s pleasing for us the result matched it.

“I have a feeling of ‘What a result’ not ‘What if’.

“The last 30 minutes at Wembley and this game were fantastic. Two great hours of football from us.”