MATCH REACTION: Keep those standards high ahead of big Chelsea tie

Posh secured their dream tie with the Premier League leaders with an ultimately comfortable 2-0 win over Notts County in a second round replay at the ABAX Stadium tonight (December 20).

Goals in the first eight minutes from midfielder Gwion Edwards - his fourth in four games - and Paul Taylor settled the outcome of a competitive game. Posh ‘keeper saved a penalty later in the first half.

But McCann insists Posh have three more important League One matches before their big day out in London. Posh host Gillingham (December 26) and Coventry (December 31) before travelling to league leaders Scunthorpe on January 2.

McCann said: “The only three people definitely going to Chelsea are me, Lee Glover (assistant manager) and the coach driver!

“One of the pleasing aspects from tonight was the reaction of the players after the game. No-one was bouncing off the walls or getting too excited. There was satisfaction at a job well done, but everyone in our dressing room knows how important the league is. We want to go to Chelsea in as good a league position as we possibly can.

“Our priority for now is getting some recovery work into the players before a very tough game on Boxing Day.

“We delivered a solid performance against County. It was a tough game for us because everyone expected us to win, but we coped with those expectations very well.

“Obviously we enjoyed a great start and we finished very well also. We could have nicked a couple more goals on the break.

“Because of the way we play it’s difficult to sustain pressure for 90 minutes. We press high and we all work hard. Luke’s penalty save was obviously very important, but in the end we managed the game very well.

“Even in our quite spells I was never too concerned on the sidelines as I know how well my back four and goalkeeper are playing.

“I’m pleased for the fans as much as anything as they deserve a big day out. We haven’t played one of the really big clubs in my time here so it’s something to look forward to.

“The one thing I do know is we won’t go there and lie down. We will go there and play our game and see where it takes us. It could be we need our 7,000 fams on the pitch with us to have a chance as they are the best team in the country by far, but you never know.”

Taylor limped out of today’s game with a hamstring problem, but Posh hope they took him off before too much damage was done. Marcus Maddison should be fit enough to return and striker Lee Angol is now free from suspension.