Conte savours Chelsea’s derby victory

Antonio Conte said his side’s response to his half-time team talk was a major factor in Chelsea’s derby triumph against Tottenham.

The visitors made a strong start at Stamford Bridge, where Spurs have not won for nearly 27 years.

But Pedro’s superb equaliser just before half-time cancelled out Christian Eriksen’s opener and Chelsea were much sharper in the second period.

Victor Moses’ 51st-minute goal gave them a seventh consecutive Premier League win, leaving them top of the table.

“It was a big test for sure. Tottenham is a really good team with great organisation and today they started better than us,” said Blues boss Conte.

“They started very well and also they scored a fantastic goal. Then I liked our reaction. It wasn’t easy to react in this way.

“I think the goal Pedro scored gave us the right confidence and after the first half we spoke. I always speak to my players.

“It is right to see the right things and the wrong things you are doing. Sometimes it can happen that the opponent starts better than you.

“I think together we found the right solution to win the game and in the second half we exploited situations we didn’t exploit in the first half.”

It meant yet another victory against rivals Spurs, whose long wait for a win at the Bridge continues.

“When you win this type of game – a special derby – you must be pleased. We won against a really strong team,” Conte added.