CONTE IN TRIBUTE TO TUBE VICTIMS

CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte’s first thoughts at yesterday’s press conference were for those affected by the bombing at Parsons Green Tube station, close to Stamford Bridge. ‘All our thoughts are for the people who were affected in the incident on the Tube,’ he said. ‘This situation is very dangerous but we have to think only about playing the game — to show we are stronger than them.’ Conte was speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home London derby against Arsenal, and he blamed a bad reaction to air conditioning for a problem with his throat which left him talking in hushed tones throughout. So will the home dugout be silent tomorrow? ‘Will the players be relieved? I prefer to recover,’ joked Conte. ‘I took antibiotics — and I also will today and tomorrow. I hope to solve the situation, otherwise it will be a problem for me.’ Alexis Sanchez’s controversial first goal for Arsenal in last season’s FA Cup final obviously still sticks in Conte’s throat. The Chilean striker put the Gunners on course for an unlikely 2-1 Wembley win over the champions in May — thus ruining Chelsea’s chances of winning the Double. Sanchez’s strike stood despite the linesman’s flag going up with Aaron Ramsey standing offside. Four months have passed but the pain remains for Conte. ‘I remember it well — we were a bit unlucky,’ he said. ‘We started the game 1-0 down. Then we tried to change the match, then we had a red card, with ten men we drew, but then we concede another goal. ‘I hope to finish tomorrow with 11 players because in the FA Cup final and Community Shield — we finished with ten men.’ Conte also said £35million signing from Leicester Danny Drinkwater has suffered an injury setback and faces another month out.