Conte concerned Blues will blow it
Boss braced for tense run-in after slip-up gives chasing pack hope
LONDON — Antonio Conte admitted Chelsea’s shock 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday has blown the Premier League title race wide open.
Conte’s side went into the game 10 points clear at the top after a run of 13 straight wins at Stamford Bridge.
But goals from Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke earned Palace victory in the London derby, and secondplace Tottenham’s 2-0 triumph at Burnley cut Chelsea’s lead at the summit to seven points with nine matches remaining.
Blues boss Conte conceded the pressure will be on when his team hosts Manchester City on Wednesday.
“For others this is a good result. It makes the championship more interesting,” Conte said.
“But I always said that the league finishes when it is mathematically sure you have won. Otherwise you must play every game to try to win because, I repeat, in England easy games do not exist.
“We have to play Manchester City next and we all know the strength of this team.
“But, now, the most important thing is to recover very well and rest. It’s important to prepare in the right way for this game.
“Every game will be very tough from now until the end – if the team is Manchester City or a side fighting in the relegation zone.”
It looked like it would be an easy day for Chelsea when Cesc Fabregas fired it ahead after five minutes.
However, Zaha equalized four minutes later, and in the 11th minute Benteke gave the Eagles a lead they never relinquished.
Wonderful Wilf
Cote d’Ivoire winger Zaha stole the show on Saturday, and Palace manager Sam Allardyce believes the former Manchester United player, who earned two England caps before declaring for the country of his birth, is now delivering on his undoubted potential.
“Wilf must feel really good about himself. It’s about consistent performances at the moment,” said Allardyce.
“It was there before he left for the Cote d’Ivoire. He’s continued to show that with them, and he showed it today with his quality.
“There’s a man in Chelsea’s side, an outstanding individual like Wilf, Eden Hazard. His ability is something Wilf could look at to try and match. Him and Christian were our match winners, and protecting our lead was our goalkeeper (Wayne Hennessey) and the defense.
“Wilf is already realizing his potential with the way he’s playing.”
Palace is just four points clear of the bottom three, but Allardyce believes his players are growing in confidence.
He singled out France centerback Mamadou Sakho for praise, although any talk of securing a permanent move for the on-loan Liverpool defender will have to wait until the club’s relegation battle concludes.
“Securing our Premier League status is our priority, and then we’ll see what Mamadou Sakho’s aspirations are,” added Allardyce.
“His future doesn’t look as if it is at Liverpool. He’s enjoying his football and his life here.
“He’s brought that resilience by leading by example. He’s taking a commanding role and the information he’s giving out on the field.
“That has helped with our defensive resilience — one goal conceded in four games.”
The only setback for Palace was injuries to defenders James Tomkins and Scott Dann.
“Scott has injured his knee. Joel Ward fell on his knee and he felt something go in his knee,” Allardyce said.
“Losing James and then Scott is a blow for us. But Martin Kelly and Damien Delaney came on and never put a foot wrong.”