Cautious Conte reckons title talk premature
Chelsea moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League with Wednesday’s 1-0 victory at Sunderland, but Antonio Conte was keen to silence title talk.
The Blues manager remained cautious because, although Chelsea has a significant advantage over its rivals, the Londoners unconvincing performance should encourage the chasing pack.
Chelsea needed a 40thminute Cesc Fabregas goal to beat struggling Sunderland, which was close to a stoppage-time equalizer when Patrick Van Aanholt’s strike was brilliantly saved by Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
“I prefer not to look at the top of the table,” Conte said. “We are doing something important up to now, but the league doesn’t finish today.
“There are still three games before the halfway stage of the season.”
The Italian said his team was far from its best, but he was encouraged by the way it kept fighting to secure a 10th straight league win.
“It’s very hard to win any game and we had to fight hard to win this one,” Conte said.
“I think we created chances to score a second goal and kill the game before Sunderland had a big chance to draw at the end. We needed a great save from Thibaut.
“I was particularly pleased for Cesc because it was only the third game he has started. He showed fantastic commitment.”
Spanish playmaker Fabregas, still adapting to Chelsea’s 3-4-3 system, said: “The performance was really good and I felt we were very, very strong.
“Now we want to keep winning. Hopefully we can continue like this and send out a strong message.
“People forget that it’s only the second time in my career that I’ve played this system.
“My teammates have played it much more, but I’m getting used to it and feel very comfortable.
“There are a lot of players who I can find with passes and there’s protection behind me. I’m enjoying it a lot.”
Chelsea is closing on Arsenal’s record of 14 consecutive victories, achieved over two seasons.
A trip to Crystal Palace is next on Saturday before Bournemouth and Stoke come to Stamford Bridge.
They are matches Chelsea is expected to win, but the same was said about its visit to Stadium of Light, where Sunderland has hit only 10 goals and now won just two matches this term.
“It is not easy to win 10 games in a row in this league, so I’m pleased for my players,” Conte said.
“They deserve it because of their commitment and workrate in training sessions and every game.”
Black Cats manager David Moyes faces a huge task to avoid relegation, but the former Manchester United boss drew solace from his team’s strong showing against Chelsea.
“We can come off saying we have had a right go at a top team, to compete,” Moyes said.
“We got better in the second half and finished strongly, but didn’t quite do enough to get something out of the game.
“Their keeper made two great saves and I thought Patrick’s shot at the end was in, but it was really good save.
“You need a top keeper and a top striker and we have that here, but so have Chelsea and they are a real threat.
“It’s too early to say if they’ll be champions. We restricted them to a few opportunities but we couldn’t stop them controlling the game.”
We are doing something important up to now, but the league doesn’t finish today.” Antonio Conte, on Chelsea’s title chances