Conte wades in over schedule

– Chelsea boss Antonio Conte blasted Premier League schedulers over his side’s short turnaround from Champions League action before facing high-flying Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash tomorrow.

Conte’s men put in a brilliant performance to inflict only Atletico Madrid’s second Champions League defeat on home soil in 24 games on Wednesday, when Michy Batshuayi’s 93rd-minute strike sealed a 2-1 victory.

However, the Italian lamented the advantage handed to City, who played their Champions League fixture at home to Shakhtar Donetsk 24 hours earlier on Tuesday.

“I think we are a bit penalised and in this case, it is very important to analyse before taking these decisions, the different situations of the team,” said Conte.

“City played yesterday at home. We played tonight away and we will return to London around four o’clock (in the morning).”

City lead the Premier League from Manchester United on goal difference, with Chelsea three points back in third.

Conte was far more content with Chelsea’s display as they battled back to claim a well-deserved three points despite falling behind to Antoine Griezmann’s penalty five minutes before half-time.

Alvaro Morata levelled on the hour-mark, after which Batshuayi sealed the win.

“It is very difficult when Atletico Madrid score to come back, but despite this we deserved to win because we continued to play with good personality,” added the Chelsea boss.

“We kept our head on the pitch. We deserved to win against a really good team like Atletico Madrid.” –