Conte delivers message in debut at Chelsea helm
New manager’s intensity helps fire up Blues
There was no pre-match fanfare to present Antonio Conte to the Stamford Bridge faithful before his debut as Chelsea manager, but Monday’s 2-1 win over West Ham United sent a clear message the team is already marching to his orders.
Conte’s side dominated its London rival with the kind of drive that made his name as both a player and a coach in Italy — energy that was so lacking at Chelsea last season when the 2015 EPL champion failed to defend its title.
As the former Italy and Juventus boss watched from the sidelines, barking instructions and waving his arms, the Stamford Bridge crowd sensed a renewed confidence among many of the players who performed so poorly a few months ago.
After being hugged by fans — many of whom have yet to come to terms with last year’s firing of the club’s most successful manager, Jose Mourinho — Conte said he believed his approach is working well.
“Every manager, when he arrives at a new club, tries to bring his philosophy, his philosophy of football,” Conte said.
“We have been working only one month with the players, but I am pleased because tonight I saw the right intensity.
“It is important to bring something different compared to last season.”
After struggling to match West Ham in the opening 15 minutes, Chelsea gradually tightened its grip on the game.
Eden Hazard, booed by fans last year for failing to produce anything close to his best form, got off the mark early in the second half by converting a penalty after defender Cesar Azpilicueta was fouled by Michail Antonio.
Chelsea dominated the second half , with Hazard influential and new signing N’Golo Kante adding more bite in midfield.
But it looked like the Blues would be punished for not turning their possession into goals when West Ham defender James Collins hooked in a shot in the 78th minute after Chelsea failed to clear a corner.
Spain striker Diego Costa, however, capped a performance that recalled his early, unstoppable form at Chelsea by slamming home a lastminute winner after new signing Michy Batshuayi, brought on by Conte minutes earlier, set him up with a header.
“I am very happy with the players because they are putting themselves in the team,” Conte said.
“To have a great team, this is important — to have a great spirit and players with great talent to put themselves on the line.”
Late challenge
Costa arguably should have been shown a second yellow card after catching West Ham goalkeeper Adrian with a late challenge, but he stayed on to steer a dramatic winner into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.
“I think the team played a good game and showed great intensity and spirit,” Conte said.
“It is important to find the right spirit and intensity. We know we can improve and we must improve a lot, but today I am pleased for my players.”
Asked about Costa’s challenge on Adrian, Conte replied: “I did not see it.”
The bruising Costa’s goal made it a positive opening night for Conte, who handed a full debut to former Leicester City man N’Golo Kante and saw another debutant, substitute Michy Batshuayi, set up the winning strike.
But it was a bitter defeat for West Ham manager Slaven Bilic, who lost debutant Andre Ayew to a thigh injury in the 34th minute.
On Costa’s challenge, Bilic said: “We are not happy with that. I don’t think it was reckless, definitely not.
“It was not deliberate. But it was very late.
“Nine times out of 10, when you see that kind of challenge on a goalkeeper, it’s a booking. Unfortunately this was the 10th time.
“We were so close against a top side, but they deserved to win it.”