How Antonio Conte Plays Down Chelsea’s Title Challenge After Win Over Southampton

Chelsea continued with their impressive form in the premier league with a classy 2-0 win at  Southampton. The win is Chelsea’s fourth league win in a row, a feat they last did in April 2015 on their way to winning the premiership title. The win ensured that Chelsea kept pace with the front-runners on the table as they went up to fourth place a point behind Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Chelsea took the lead on six minutes through Eden Hazard when he drilled a shot through the legs of goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Though Southampton had more of the possession they hardly threatened Chelsea. The blues created the better chances and extended their lead in the second half when a fine strike from outside the box by Diego Costa found the net.

Elated Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believed his team had a good match, he said: “We knew today was a test against a strong side in good shape and form. It’s important to win games like this – people can increase their confidence and will to work and trust in the work. We created many chances. It’s the perfect game when strikers score and defenders don’t concede. The players deserved this; they work hard in training. When you see this type of game and commitment from your players, it’s fantastic for a coach.”

Despite Chelsea’s outstanding form, Conte believes is still too early to talk of his team challenging for the title. He stated:  “At this moment it’s not important for us to look at the table. We are in a good position but what’s more important is to work very hard and trust the work will improve us. Sometimes you can win a game but you don’t see it happening in the right way”.

“Now, game by game, I’m seeing a lot of possibilities, a lot of positives, and I have confidence because we can improve. We can improve a lot and must improve a lot. If you ask me a prediction or an expectation of our championship, now it’s very difficult to talk about this. It’s important to get through the first part of this season and then you can see if you can stay up there in the title race. Then our idea will be clearer. For now this performance really pleased me. I saw great commitment and work rate, with the ball and without it, and great unity. That is the right way to reach great satisfaction in this championship.”