Conte admits to resting Hazard and Costa in Blues Cup win

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admitted he named Eden Hazard and Diego Costa on the bench for their FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur with their midweek match with Southampton in mind.

Hazard and Costa have been two of the Blues’ most influential players this season and they were eventually called upon by Conte after Spurs had twice levelled at Wembley.

Chelsea eventually ran out 4-2 winners to leave their hopes of winning a league and cup double still alive, with Hazard putting them ahead for a third time 14 minutes after he had been brought on.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

There is little time for Chelsea to rest, however, as they resume their bid to become Premier League champions against Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Conte said: “For sure when you arrive in this part of the season, and you know you have to play three tough games and one is a semi-final and a top game, and a top priority.

“But you know you have to play on Tuesday after only two-and-a-half days a game very important for us and for the league, you have to take strong decisions.

“We play a Southampton team who rest for ten days and Tottenham have one more day to rest and they play Crystal Palace, who have to play tomorrow.

“You have to take responsibility for your decisions and it is a great responsibility, it is not easy to start the game without two really important players.”