Two goals in six minutes approaching the hour mark from Juan Mata and Raul Meireles gave the Londoners a 2-0 victory at St Andrews on Tuesday night.
"We gave it a real good go but needed to stay in the game at 0-0 longer in the second half," the Blues boss said.
"The first goal gave them a lift and the second was real quality.
"We have really enjoyed the cup runs in the Europa League and the FA Cup. People say they may have impacted on our hopes in the league.
"But I think they have had a positive impact on us and there is no shame in going out to a Chelsea side full of quality.
"How would our league position be if we hadn't been in the cups? Arguably we would have been in a better position.
"But if you ask me whether I would rather have done without the cups then I would have to say no."
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