Antonio Conte plays down Chelsea’s title chances after comeback victory against Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea's Italian head coach Antonio Conte gestures from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London on November 26, 2016. / AFP / Ian KINGTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte plays down his side’s title chances and insists that they now needed to focus on Manchester City.

The Blues were a goal down for most of the first half, thanks to a superb Christian Eriksen strike. Minutes before both teams were due to retire to the dressing room, Pedro’s curling right foot effort found the back of the net to bring Chelsea back on level terms. On being asked what he told his players during half-time, Conte said “I always speak with my players at half-time because it’s right to see the good and bad things we are doing. Sometimes it can happen that the opponent starts better than you but we are talking about Spurs, not a team at the bottom of the table.”

He said that he didn’t think his side needed a change in personnel in the second half, just that they needed to improve collectively as a team. The Italian thought that his side didn’t exploit the opportunities in the first half, like they did in the second. On being asked about a conversation that he had with rival boss Mauricio Pochettino, after a challenge involving Willian, he said, “During the game we spoke during one moment, and explained to me that he was in disagreement with one of my assistants, but nothing important.”

Antonio Conte and his side travel to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and he insisted that from tomorrow, they needed to shift their focus to that match. “When you win this kind of game, also a special derby, you must be pleased, but from tomorrow, it’s important to think about the next game against City, another strong team. We must continue to work.”

Chelsea currently sit on top of the table with 31 points, one point ahead of City and Liverpool. On being asked about his side’s title chances after this kind of victory, he insisted that it wasn’t right to talk about it during this time. Conte emphasized to need to improve a lot. “Above all, after this type of game we have to wait. It’s important to stay humble and continue to work, trust in our work.”

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