Conte: Two key moments cost us chance of the double
Disappointed Chelsea boss Antonio Conte could not secure a double in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge – as Arsenal lifted the FA Cup with a 2-1 final win on Saturday.
The Italian singled out the second-half dismissal of Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses, for two bookable offences, and Aaron Ramsey’s goal as the turning points.
“I think our start for sure wasn’t good enough,” said Conte, whose side fell behind to a controversial Alexis Sanchez strike early on but levelled with a Diego Costa strike while down to 10 men.
“Arsenal started the game better than us, honestly I think the goal after three minutes in this way, I think it was not disallowed because there is a clear handball, but our start wasn’t good.
“Then we started to play, in the second half we started very well and created the chances to equalise.
“The second yellow card for Moses (for diving inside the Arsenal box) was, for sure, one of the two key moments.
“But to play for 10 men, we were able to equalise and then to concede a second goal was a key moment for the loss.”
The former Juventus coach refuted claims his players struggled to raise themselves for the final having already secured the Premier League title.
“It is not easy, but I think that we won the league and it was right to celebrate and enjoy this win,” he added.
“I think that my players put all of themselves into the game, maybe our start wasn’t good and the impact and approach wasn’t good and Arsenal pushed a lot.
“We paid for this start.”