Two goals from Michy Batshuayi and another from Victor Moses – all scored in the first half – did the damage against Bristol Rovers of League One, but we survived a couple of scares once the visitors reduced the deficit to 3-2 soon after the interval. One lesson above all stood out for Conte afterwards…

‘We must understand that when you have the opportunity to kill the game, you must kill the game,’ he said.

‘It’s a pity because we were dominating the game but then we suffered. Tonight I knew the English cup, I knew the atmosphere, and I can tell these games are very tough for all.

‘We created a lot of chances in the first half to score many goals, but I don’t like when you concede two goals in this situation, from a free-kick and a penalty.

‘When you leave it open a situation like tonight can happen when you stay afraid of drawing the game until the end.’

Conte spoke in more detail about the first goal we let in tonight

‘We conceded one goal from a cross and we must improve on this aspect. We must feel the danger in every circumstance, above all when there is a free-kick or a corner, because in England usually there can be a great chance of conceding a goal after a corner or a free-kick.’

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, playing off Batshuayi, set up the full debutant’s second goal of the game and the boss was impressed with what he saw from the young Englishman

‘I liked it because he played a good game with a good intensity. He did what I wanted. In defensive situations he became a midfielder, when we were attacking he became a forward.

‘I am happy with his commitment and his attitude. Ruben has great potential. He is a young player who can improve a lot. I see him every day and during the training sessions he wants to improve, he wants to work very hard and I like this.

‘He has the right characteristics to play in this role [as a striker]. He is physically very strong, he is very good playing with his back to goal, he also has good technique, he sees the goal very well, and he has a good shot. He can play in this role.

‘It’s right to give opportunities to young players like Loftus with great talent to stay with the first team and help us. It’s the same for [Ola] Aina.’

Nathaniel Chalobah remained an unused substitute and Conte explained why

‘The first disappointment is mine because I wanted to put Chalobah on in the second half and play him but the situation didn’t permit this, and I preferred to put Oscar on until the end.

‘The situation could have become very dangerous. It’s a pity because I wanted to permit him to play and also because he deserves to play. He’s a good young player.’