Conte cool on title talk; hails Chelsea’s ‘fight’

Matthew Briggs

Antonio Conte refused to accept it was Chelsea’s title to lose after they marched 13 points clear at Stoke.

The champions-elect had a tough assignment in the Potteries, made all the more difficult due to Eden Hazard’s absence through injury, but Gary Cahill, who had earlier given away a penalty, smashed home late on to seal a 2-1 victory.

Willian had given them the lead here with a free-kick only for the Potters to draw level through Jonathan Walters’ penalty

Conte told the BBC: “I am pleased because to play Stoke at this point of the season, you have to be prepared mentally and physically. For this reason, we won today. It was a tough game, we tried to play football and deserved to win. We faced a really good team.

“I am pleased for Gary Cahill because we conceded a penalty after a little push from him. To score the winning goal is great for him and our team.

“Diego Costa played very well and showed great discipline. It is not easy to start the game with a yellow card and then to stay calm. Diego is showing me a great will to think and fight for the team. I want to continue this way.

“We need to take 21 points for the title win. There are 10 games to go, today was a great win, a good signal but it is important to continue with the same commitment and work rate as a team.

Asked whether it was Chelsea’s title to lose, he added: “To have a 10 points gap, 13 at the moment, but I like to think our opponents will win tomorrow. We have to look at ourselves. We are happy. We must be ready to fight, today we were ready.”