Conte: Chelsea better off following tough Spurs test

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admits he was pleased his side were put under the cosh by Tottenham last weekend, ahead of one of their toughest tests of the season so far.

The table-topping Blues travel to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime to face Premier League title rivals Manchester City, having won their last seven straight matches in the league.

Conte’s side were bullied by London rivals Spurs in their last outing however, conceding their first goal in almost ten hours of football in the first half before coming back to win 2-1.

That was the first time Chelsea had really been put under serious pressure since switching to a 3-4-3 formation, and the Italian gaffer hopes that reminder will stand his side in good stead for the trip to Manchester.

Victor Moses netted Chelsea’s winner against Spurs (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

“The first half against Tottenham was very difficult but usually when that happens you can learn a lot,” he said.

“This week we studied our first half a lot and I showed the way to improve in the future.

“It’s important to remember we played against a top team with a great squad and manager. They fought for the title until the end last season, while we finished tenth

“Now they are seven points behind us which is a great achievement for us. Tottenham can fight until the end to win the title, and if we were the team of the start of the season I’m sure we would have lost that type of game.

“We conceded a goal in the last game and when you arrive after six wins in a row without conceding there is a bit of disappointment, but Eriksen scored a fantastic goal.

“We didn’t concede many chances for them to score again. Man City is an important test for our solidity.”