Title tussle a coin toss for Conte
Blues boss less confident after loss to United
MANCHESTER, England — “Six finals” await Chelsea in the Premier League run-in after a 2-0 loss at Manchester United on Sunday left its title chances at “50 percent”, manager Antonio Conte said.
Having hoped to re-establish as even-point lead over secondplace Tot ten ham Hot spur, Chelsea’s advantage remains four following the loss at Old Trafford.
While the Blues remain in the driver’s seat and will face only one top-seven side, Everton, in their remaining six matches, Conte suggested his team can no longer be considered the outright favorite.
“We have to think that there are six finals from now until the end,” said the Italian, who was without injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and leftback Marcos Alonso, who had a virus.
“The league is open and we have a 50 percent probability to win it.”
Conte took the blame for the “deserved” defeat at United, saying he failed to sufficiently motivate his players.
But in a pointed reference to Chelsea’s struggles last season under current United manager Jose Mourinho, Conte claimed his team’s title quest should be considered a “miracle”.
“I prefer to fight for the title instead of don’t fight for the title and stay calm. The pressure is normal and we are lucky to have the pressure,” said Conte.
“Last season Chelsea had no pressure; 10th place and you play calm, you are happy.
“We must understand this, that (something) really important is happening this season because we are doing a great job and a miracle if you consider last season and the problems we had.
“For this reason we must have great enthusiasm to play these last six games. If we win, we must be proud. Otherwise we must clap another team.”
Mourinho’s decision to manmark attacking duo Eden Hazard and Pedro muzzled Chelsea, which failed to register a shot on target in a league game for the first time since 2007.
Spain international Ander Herrera, who shadowed Hazard, set up Marcus Rashford for United’s seventh-minute opener and netted the host’s second with a deflected strike early in the second half.
‘Phenomenal’
Victory lifted United to fifth spot, four points below Manchester City, which occupies the fourth and final Champions League qualification place with a game in hand.
Mourinho was serenaded by Blues fans with chants of “Judas” during United’s 1-0 FA Cup loss at Stamford Bridge last month, however the Portuguese declined to place too much emotional significance on the win.
“The satisfaction is for different reasons,” said Mourinho, whose side takes a 1-1 scoreline into the second leg of its Europa League quarterfinal at home to Anderlecht on Thursday.
“The first reason is, with Liverpool and Manchester City’s victories, if we don’t win today, goodbye Premier League (top four).
“We don’t know what can happen in the Europa League, so these three points were phenomenal. The second reason is they are the leader. They are named Chelsea, but they could be named Arsenal or Tottenham.
“When you beat the leader, it is obviously a very good feeling because you feel you are as good or better than them.”
Mourinho claimed the victory showed that had Herrera not been sent off in the cup defeat at Chelsea, it would be United, not the Blues, facing Tottenham in the semifinals on Saturday.
Spurs are on a run of seven straight league wins — their best sequence in 50 years — and Conte is braced for a tough battle at Wembley.
“We all know the next game and how you go for the final or you don’t go and for this reason, you must put 200 percent to reach the final,” he said.
“It won’t be easy because I think Tottenham now is the best team and they are in great form and they have a lot of enthusiasm.
“They are feeling the possibility to write history and it is important to know this.”