Conte plays down Chelsea title wobble

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has insisted his side’s surprise home defeat against Crystal Palace last weekend hasn’t increased the pressure on the Premier League leaders.

The Blues fell to just their fourth defeat of the season, as struggling Palace came from behind to win 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, with second-placed Tottenham Hotspur taking advantage by winning at Burnley.

As a result, the gap at the top of the table was reduced to seven points, with Chelsea looking to avoid back-to-back losses when Manchester City visit west London on Wednesday.

With Spurs playing at struggling Swansea on the same night, Conte’s men will be keen to ensure they’re not allowed to make further headway into their lead.

Conte said: “There is big pressure but it is normal when you are in a great club and you are very good.

“When you are lucky enough to fight for the title there is the pressure but not only for us, for a lot of teams.

“Don’t forget, the other teams were candidates to win the title but instead we stay top of the table and we try to keep this position. If we were able keep this position it means that we deserve this.

“This league wasn’t finished before Saturday’s game and it is not finished now. There are nine games to play and we have to think step by step and at the end if we deserve to win the title I will be very happy.”