CONTE: WE NEED MORE DESIRE TO WIN TITLE
From Back Page now until the end we must have great motivation and enthusiasm to reach our target. If we are able to reach this target it is a miracle. I have to be concerned because we have to work together quickly to find the right desire to win this title. ‘You build the right mentality day by day and we must do it very quickly. We are in a great position. Tottenham are in great form and we must have the same.’ Conte’s reference to a miracle was said in the context of where Chelsea have come from since the end of last season. Nevertheless, his concern after this result was clear. United won on the back of a tactical plan by Mourinho that saw Rashford chosen ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Herrera asked to do a man-to-man marking job on Chelsea danger man Eden Hazard. Mourinho said: ‘These three points were phenomenal. When you beat the leader it is obviously a very good feeling.’ Chelsea’s preparations were not helped by the absence of injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Marcos Alonso, who was ill. Mystery surrounds the Courtois situation with rumours circulating that the Belgian had hurt an ankle playing basketball as part of a promotional stunt for a sponsor. Conte said: ‘It is not best to talk about this after a defeat. He was injured during the week.’ United were fast out of the blocks, scoring after seven minutes, and wrapped up the game when Herrera scored early in the second period. That goal followed a bizarre incident that saw Chelsea captain Gary Cahill helping United’s Jesse Lingard to his feet in the penalty area while the home team were still building play down the left. Cahill said: ‘I don’t see how it could have cost me. My instinct was I was nervous. It could have been a penalty so the sooner I get him on his feet I can stop the ref thinking otherwise. Maybe it looks silly in hindsight.’