At 2-1 down, it looked like we could lose for the third consecutive Premier League game, but as against Roma on Wednesday, Conte’s Blues showed their resilience. We levelled with 20 minutes remaining through substitute Michy Batshuayi, and retook the lead, given to us early on by a Pedro stunner, when Cesar Azpilicueta headed in.

Batshuayi sealed the victory in injury time and left the boss to reflect on another action-packed Stamford Bridge encounter…



‘Good character, good spirit, good desire to fight and to try to win,’ Conte said of his players afterwards.

‘I have to praise them because it wasn’t easy. When you are not used to losing two games in a row, it’s not simple. Today the game was very tough against a good team in a good moment of form with a lot of confidence.

‘When we were 2-1 down it was a very difficult moment, maybe the worst moment for us. To come back means these players have great heart and great desire to not accept the situation.

‘When you face this type of situation, the present is not simple, the confidence is not high for the players, but to overcome this type of moment makes you stronger.

‘I want to look at the positive aspects, because in the last two games we scored seven goals,’ added Conte. ‘We conceded five, but to score seven is important.

‘This was the third game in seven days, but in the second half we showed good physical condition. We pushed a lot until the end and we came back from 2-1 down. Now we have to recover very well. Tomorrow is a day off, then we prepare for the game against Everton in the Carabao Cup.’

Conte’s second-half changes proved pivotal with Batshuayi netting two and Willian recording an assist

‘Substitutions sometimes work, sometimes don’t work. It is important for the coach to understand the right moment if there is a situation to improve and to change.

‘I am pleased for Michy because he scored two goals but his impact during the game was amazing. It was the same for Willian and Zappacosta. Honestly I was pleased for the performance of the players I changed.

‘Sometimes when you play three games in a row and play the same players, you have to make important decisions. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. I was lucky.’

Conte spoke in more detail about Batshuayi, whose equaliser was the 100th league goal we have scored until the Italian

‘Don’t forget Michy is a young player. For him this is the first big experience with a great team. If you compare this season with last, Michy is playing a lot. Against Crystal Palace his performance wasn’t good, but not only his, the whole team played bad.

‘I have a squad and I trust in each of my players. I try to transfer this message to my players. Today his impact was incredible, and he must continue in this way: to work, work, work and to have the patience to understand he has to wait his moment, and then when he has the chance, to show me he is improving.’

Conte was asked if he felt relieved after the turnaround

‘I feel a lot of pressure, but not this type of pressure if the club decide to sack me. I don’t feel this pressure because I trust in my work. I try to give everything for the club I am working for. I am doing this for Chelsea, I did this last season, I am doing this with my staff this season. Honestly I will never be worried about this, never.

‘Together with my players I want to give satisfaction to our fans. I feel this type of pressure. Our fans show me and my players a lot of passion in every game. I feel this type of pressure, but other pressure is not important for me. This is our job. When I go to my house, I am happy because I know I am putting 150 per cent for my club, and my players are doing the same.’