Pablo: We’re not just any old Iron

career, but my fighting spirit makes me feel young. I wake up every morning and go in for training trying to be a good professional. You need that mix of young players and experience.”

West Ham started superbly, taking the lead after only six minutes when Marko Arnautovic turned neatly onto Manuel Lanzini’s pass to tuck his shot wide of Thibaut Courtois.

And Chelsea, despite dominating for long periods, never really looked likely to overcome the setback. Conte’s team were denied a penalty when Alvaro Morata’s shirt was tugged in the area, and Hammers keeper Adrian, who kept his place ahead of Joe Hart, made several fine saves.

Then right at the end, Morata shot horribly wide when he should have scored to sum up a thoroughly miserable day for the champions.

But Zabaleta warned the pessimistic Conte: “I remember when we won the first title with City in 2012, we were eight points behind Manchester United in February. It’s so unpredictable.”

Conte was adamant the top four is now the target for his team, but with a game at Huddersfield tomorrow he does not have the time to roast his players after such a poor showing. “Where is the time to kill the players in training sessions?” he said. “There are six top teams and only four places for the Champions League.

“If City has this many points over you, you have an important target to try to get into the top four. Two years ago Chelsea missed this target.”

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