Honesty matters for Conte

Chelsea’s Italian manager says that his conceding of the title was truthful admission

HUDDERSFIELD: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte denied he was being negative when he said the club were not in the Premier League title race and insisted, after Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Huddersfield Town, that he was simply being realistic.

Conte had reacted to Saturday’s 1-0 loss at West Ham United, by saying Chelsea were not in a position to overhaul runaway leaders Manchester City and that his team’s bid had “never started”.

Although a comfortable victory at the John Smith’s Stadium leaves Chelsea 11 points behind Manchester City, who visit struggling Swansea City on Wednesday, Conte does not believe it is realistic to talk of catching Pep Guardiola’s side.

“This is the truth. Manchester City in 16 games they have won 15 and drawn one. In 17 games, we have lost four games,” said the Italian. “When you have a competitor like Manchester City that every game they are winning, it is very difficult to think that you can fight for the title. You can say it’s negative or this is positive but its bullshit,” said Conte.

“We must be realistic and to tell always the truth. I prefer to tell the truth rather than a good lie. I am this way. Sometimes I can be too honest but I like to speak very honestly with my players, with our fans also,” he said.

Conte added that the reality did not stop his team, who are also in the last 16 of the Champions League where they will face Barcelona in February, from fighting till the end. “It doesn’t mean that we don’t want to try to catch them but we have to hope to have a big slip (from City) and then for us to win every game -- in this league. MOHAMED SALAH

(LIVERPOOL)

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Shots on target: The Egyptian international, who recently led his country to the World Cup finals with a last minute penalty against Congo, has certainly been the biggest revelation in the Premier League this season.

Salah has been directly involved in 16 goals for Liverpool in his 16 games. He has found the net 13 times and assisted thrice.

Aside from scoring some great goals -- the volley against Stoke and the finish against Everton come to mind -- he also earned Jurgen Klopp’s side valuable points against Burnley, Chelsea and Everton: having netted Liverpool’s lone goal in each of those fixtures that ended 1-1. HARRY KANE (TOTTENHAM)

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Shots on target: The Premier League’s top-scorer last season got off to a slow start this campaign, netting for the first time only in the fourth game of the season against Everton, but since then, the English striker has managed to net five two-goal hauls. Kane’s brace against Everton had secured Mauricio Pochettino’s side full points only for the second time in four games after they had slumped to a 2-1 loss to Chelsea and a surprise draw against Burnley in the second and third games of the season respectively.

The English striker’s brace against Liverpool showcased his impeccable finishing abilities.

** Stats updated until Wednesday, 13 December 2017