Cahill: I'll bury memory of semi shame

Gary Cahill will head to Wembley determined to exorcise the most ­humiliating day of his ­career.

Just 12 months ago, the ­England international ­defender was part of an
in-form Bolton team widely expected to beat Stoke and reach their first FA Cup final since 1958.

But Bolton endured a torrid Sunday at Wembley. They were 3-0 down by half-time and ended up losing the big game 5-0.

That marked a decline in form that has continued this season. Even though Cahill moved to Stamford Bridge for £7million in January, his old club have never really ­shaken off the shattering blow of their Wembley debacle.

That’s why Cahill is keen to prove he has endured no ­terminal damage from that Sunday of shame.

Cahill, 26, said: “If we had lost 1-0, I would have been gutted. But the way we lost made it hurt even more.

“It was a disaster result. Not a great memory. You are so close and you want to make the final. You are ­within touching distance. It hurt me for a while but it made me stronger.

“And when I was there
at Wembley to watch the final as a young Aston Villa player we lost to Chelsea, too.

“In fact, that is the only final I have been to.”

But he is more optimistic about his chances on this Wembley trip.

“I’m hoping the result will be a lot different this time,” he said.

“Last year’s semi-final was a strange game because we were in good form.

“Everyone had an off-day on the same day. It was a freak result and obviously there are no fond ­memories for me. I hope I can make amends this time around.

“I think we followed it up immediately by beating ­Arsenal but I would rather have swapped those results around.

“It was disappointing for everyone – the fans and the players.”

Cahill’s chance of ­finding compensatory glory came with his move to Stamford Bridge but for many of his old Bolton team-mates, there has been no such reprieve.

He went on: “For many of the lads, it was their one shot at getting to a cup final.”

Cahill is relishing the ­challenge ahead, with today’s big game being quickly ­followed by the two legs of the Champions League semi-finals against Barcelona.

“Yes, it has been good for me. I have moved to a new club and you want to adapt. I feel I am doing that,” he said.

In normal circumstances, the prospect of Barcelona would have captured the ­entire attention of the club. The clash with Spurs has ensured that the focus has been solely on Wembley.

“Because of the build-up to the Spurs game, with it being a London derby, that will take the lads’ minds off Barcelona,” Cahill explained.

“It is a massive game for us at Wembley and a great chance to get to the final and win some ­silverware. And after Tottenham come Barca.

“Obviously we are aware of what the two semis mean.”

Cahill was ­impressed with the way ­Barcelona dispatched AC Milan in the quarter-final on the eve of Chelsea’s win over Benfica.

But he insists he is not ­intimidated by the ­reigning champions of ­Europe.

“They are beatable, for sure,” he said. “Every team is ­beatable. But the way they play is ­phenomenal. I watched them against Milan – they scored three, but could have had six, against a fantastic team.

“It will be physically ­demanding because of the short gap between matches. But we are ready for it.”