Conte: Blunder made him angry

ANTONIO CONTE insisted his decision to substitute Alvaro Morata was not influenced by the striker’s glaring miss. Morata reacted furiously to being replaced after failing to beat Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope when through on goal. But Conte was happy with the Spaniard’s performance, after starting him alongside Olivier Giroud for the first time, and indicated he could do it again in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton. ‘Alvaro must be angry because when you have a chance to score, especially for a striker, it can change your confidence,’ said Conte. ‘I think he was angry with himself for the chance he missed.’ Asked if it that was a reason why he replaced him with Eden Hazard, the Chelsea boss replied: ‘No, honestly. I thought it better to put on fresh legs and a player with a different characteristic. Giroud and Morata played a fantastic game. We surprised Burnley with two strikers and I am happy I tried it. It’s a possibility for Sunday and maybe the future.’