Steely Blues
> Conte hails leaders Chelsea’s willpower <
second to improve the result against a really good team, with good organisation and a good coach. We must be pleased with the game.
“It’s not easy to play after Tottenham but I think it’s normal in football.
“When you play after your opponent it’s normal if you see that the opponent is very close to you to feel a bit of pressure.
“But I’m happy to face this kind of situation, to play with only four points’ advantage. I like the pressure, to live with pressure.
“If I don’t see pressure, I put some on. When you have pressure, you give the best of yourself. We accept it.”
Conte, however, would not accept that two victories in quick succession after last weekend’s surprising defeat by Crystal Palace had guaranteed the title for Chelsea.
“I don’t smell victory yet because there are seven games to go, we have a schedule that’s Saido Berahino not easy and we know this,” the Italian said.
“It’s important to go game by game. After losing to Crystal Palace, we played City and could have dropped points and today we could have dropped points. Instead we won both games. We have to go on in this way, game by game and stay concentrated.
“For sure Tottenham have a great desire to win the title and we must have the same desire. Don’t forget that last season they played for the title and we were tenth, so they are a really good team.
“I think Tottenham are stronger than last season, they reinforced their team with really good players. It’s important to understand this.”
However, Conte did agree that the battle for the title was now a two-horse race involving his side and London rivals Spurs.
“It’s just us,” he said. “I don’t know the other teams’ results but I think there is a space between us and the other teams. I don’t think there is space for them.
“It’s logical that if we and Tottenham continue to win, it will be a race between us.”
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe accepted the better team had won.
“They are hard to play against,” he said. “At Stamford Bridge we tried to play their way and lost 3-0. Today we played our way and that didn’t work either.” – AFP