Conte says Chelsea cannot win title
CHELSEA boss Antonio Conte has given up on his team’s English Premier League title defence after a shock 1-0 defeat at West Ham.
Marko Arnautovic’s (pictured) early goal condemned the champions to a first defeat in eight league games to leave them 11 points adrift of leaders Manchjester City, who took on Manchester United overnight.
“We have to consider that this is the fourth game we’ve lost in 16 games,” Conte told Sky Sports at the London Stadium.
“In my previous experience, it won’t be possible to fight for the title.”
The win did not move West Ham out of the relegation zone but they are now level on points with West Brom who lost to second from bottom Swansea 1-0.
Wilfried Bony’s second goal in as many games gave the Welsh side its first win in seven matches to move off the bottom.
Christian Benteke missed a last-minute penalty in Crystal Palace’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth as Roy Hodgson’s men slipped back to the foot of the table.
Tottenham, meanwhile, got back to winning ways in style, ending a run of four games without victory with a thumping 5-1 home win over Stoke City at Wembley.
Burnley’s Scott Arfield scored in a 1-0 home win over Watford, who had Marvin Zeegelaar sent off.
In-form Leicester City climbed to eighth after a 3-2 win at Newcastle United.
Aaron Mooy won the bragging rights over Socceroos teammate Mat Ryan as Steve Mounie’s first goals since the opening day earned Huddersfield Town a 2-0 win over fellow promoted team Brighton and Hove Albion.