Conte: Chelsea players deserve credit for comeback win

Joe Williams

Antonio Conte has praised Chelsea’s reaction in the second half that saw them come from two down to beat Southampton 3-2 at St Mary’s Stadium.

Dusan Tadic and Jan Bednarek had put the Saints into a two-goal lead with only 30 minutes to go but a strike from Eden Hazard and a dramatic brace from Olivier Giroud won the game for the Blues.

“Our first half wasn’t good in a lot of aspects, not only tactically, but didn’t show great spirit desire or the will to fight for a good result,” Conte told Sky Sports.

“Our first half was very negative. In the second half I saw a great reaction, the right will to fight to win despite the difficultly. We went 2-0 down but had the right spirit to come back and win.

“I am disappointed in the first half, I am the first to take the fault for that, but in the second half my players deserved credit.

“I am happy for Giroud. Olivier we know very well, we are talking about international players. He has specific characteristics, he played well and I am happy for him.”