‘Play like this and we’ll lose the final’

ANTONIO CONTE has questioned whether he can still motivate Chelsea’s players after their 3-0 surrender at Newcastle — and warned they will lose next weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester United with a repeat performance. The Blues needed to win to stand any chance of finishing in the top four and qualifying for next season’s Champions League. But Newcastle were easy victors, leading Conte to wonder whether his message is getting through. ‘You’re talking about spirit and the other team was more determined than us,’ he said. ‘I think I wasn’t able to get through the determination to my players to play the last game. ‘Newcastle showed great desire, a great will to fight, a great will to take three points and to finish this season in the best possible way. For sure we must change because if we think we can play a game like this in the final of the FA Cup, we don’t have a chance.’ Conte is likely to leave the club after Saturday’s final against Jose Mourinho’s team, regardless of the result. But he protested otherwise, as he added: ‘I am committed to this club. For me, this is important, not speculation around me. ‘I have a contract and the club know very well the situation. After Saturday, we go on vacation and then we will see next season.’ Meanwhile, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley (above) released a post-match statement in which he spoke of his desire for manager Rafa Benitez to commit his future to the club. ‘Rafa, as always, has my full support, and contrary to some media reports that portray me as a pantomime villain, I will continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club is available to him,’ he said. ‘I hope very much that Rafa will remain at Newcastle United.’