Hiddink: ‘I lost my balance, which doesn’t happen much’

Matthew Briggs

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has played down the scenes at Stamford Bridge on Monday and claims he doesn’t often lose his balance.

The 69-year-old interim boss was knocked to the ground in a melee at the end of the draw 2-2 draw with London rivals Spurs – a result which ended the visitors’ Premier League title hopes.

Hiddink fell over as players and staff grappled after the full-time whistle but the Dutchman has made light of the incident.

“For me it was a minor thing. There was a bit of pushing and I lost my balance, which doesn’t happen much to me,” said Hiddink.

However, he does acknowledge that the scenes on and off the pitch were unacceptable.

“There were too many chest to chest situations, which was not good for the game.

“There were too many incidents. It was a hot game, because there’s always this rivalry.”

Hiddink confirmed Chelsea will give Premier League champions Leicester a guard of honour prior to the final game of the season on 15 May.

As for Saturday’s game against relegation-threatened Sunderland, Hiddink confirmed he will not make wholesale changes and will uphold the integrity of the competition.

“Given the situation, it doesn’t seem fair to us,” added Hiddink.

“Sunderland have a very experienced manager who will fine-tune the team in the right way, it’s a difficult game.”