Advertisement
Giroud celebrates his match-winner against Liverpool. Getty Images

Conte has 'hope' in Chelsea's late push for top-four finish

Four consecutive wins have restored the Blues’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

ANTONIO CONTE HAS acknowledged that Chelsea’s fortunes appear to be on the turn after a weekend in which his side moved two points away from a place in the Premier League’s top four.

After Tottenham were beaten 1-0 by West Brom on Saturday, Olivier Giroud’s first-half goal earned Chelsea a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to put the Blues two points behind Mauricio Pochettino’s fourth-place men with two games remaining.

Liverpool are three clear of Conte’s side in third, but both Spurs and Chelsea have a game in hand.

The west London club have won their last four league matches and face relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town and mid-table Newcastle United in their final fixtures.

“One month ago, it was impossible to imagine we’d arrive at the end to fight for a place in the Champions League,” Conte told reporters. “Now there is hope.

“We are getting three points in every game. Our opponents are dropping points, but our future is not in our hands. We have to try to get three points to put pressure on the teams ahead of us.

“We must be pleased with our will to fight and desire, and our will to keep the hope alive to take a place in the Champions League.”

Alvaro Morata did not feature against Liverpool after picking up an injury in training, but Conte said he expects the Spanish striker to feature against Huddersfield on Wednesday.

“It is not serious,” said Conte. “In my mind there is the intention to have him for Huddersfield. I hope to have him.”

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Bale helps Real earn a draw against 10-man Barca as Ronaldo goes off injured

‘Things were going really well and what killed me looking back was Ron Atkinson got the bullet’

Author
View comments
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel