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> Serial winner Conte hits back by beating Mourinho to FA Cup <
CHELSEA MANAGER Antonio Conte insisted he is a “serial winner” after ending a difficult season on a high by beating Manchester United 1-0 to lift the FA Cup thanks to Eden Hazard’s penalty at Wembley yesterday.
In what is still widely expected to be Conte’s final game in charge, the Blues withstood a second-half onslaught from United after Hazard’s 22nd-minute spotkick to ensure Jose Mourinho’s men end the season trophyless.
A year on from winning the Premier League in his debut season in English football, Conte failed to even qualify Chelsea for the Champions League as they finished fifth in the Premier League.
“I am the first to understand because I am the coach of an important club in England, in the world, and it is right the club demands of me a lot,” said the Italian on the constant speculation over his future.
But Conte defended his record after winning a knockout competition for the first time in his managerial career.
“Also in a difficult season, I have showed I am a serial winner,” he added.
“This is the truth. To win in this way, this season, has given me more satisfaction than my wins in the past.”
However, United manager Jose Mourinho was scathing of what he perceived as Chelsea’s negative tactics to drop deep and defend their lead after going in front.
“I congratulate them because they won but I don’t think they deserved to win,” Mourinho said.
Despite finishing second in the League, 19 points behind local rivals Manchester City, Mourinho has been routinely crticised this season for United’s own defensive approach.
United were without topscorer Romelu Lukaku from the start as the Belgian was only fit enough for a place on the bench against his former club due to an ankle injury.
And Mourinho also seemed to question the commitment of his striker.
“When a player tells you he is not ready to play, not ready to start, then the question is how many minutes you think you can? How can you convince a player?”
Lukaku’s presence was missed as Chelsea settled quickest with Hazard particularly lively.
The diminutive Belgian took advantage of indecision by Phil Jones to race clear on goal before being chopped down by the England defender as he prepared to shoot.
Hazard dusted himself down to coolly send De Gea the wrong way from the spot for his 18th goal of the season.
The lack of invention that Mourinho’s side have been routinely criticised for throughout the campaign showed in their efforts to get back on terms.
Should it prove to be Conte’s last game in charge, the Italian bowed out on a high as his decision to start first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for the first time in the FA Cup this season over Willy Caballero was justified by a series of saves from the Belgian to keep United at bay after the break.
Courtois wasn’t called into action until just before the hour mark when he denied Marcus Rashford.
He then made a brilliant stop low to his left to parry an acrobatic Paul Pogba effort and Alexis Sanchez was denied a ninth goal in as many appearances at Wembley when he was flagged offside after firing the rebound into the roof of the net.
But it was Pogba who had the biggest chance to level when the midfielder headed wide from a corner eight minutes from time. – AFP