Chelsea on the ropes

ANTONIO Conte said Chelsea’s Premier League title defence is effectively over after his team’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham United.

The loss at the London Stadium was the champions fourth in their opening 16 league games and left them 11 points behind Manchester City 24 hours before the leaders face second-placed Manchester United.

“To talk about the title race after a defeat is a bit strange,” said Conte.

“Especially if this is the fourth defeat in 16 games. When you have this start it is impossible to think you are in the title race. If you want to stay in the title race you can lose once or twice in this period.”