Antonio Conte: I want to thank each one of my players

The maverick Italian talks about how delighted he was with his side's win over cross-city rivals Tottenham Hotspurs at Wembley, and warned Spurs that Wembley could inspire lots of teams coming to play them along the course of the season.

Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte Reuters

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was delighted with how his side fought back to win against high-flying Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday night at Wembley, with Spain international Marcos Alonso scoring on both sides of half time to fire them to victory.

The Italian manager was forced to field a makeshift side against Spurs after suspensions and injury severely limited his options, with David Luiz forced into a midfield role and Andreas Christensen handed a first start in the Premier League.

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Yet two goals from Marcos Alonso left Tottenham, unbeaten at White Hart Lane last season, with only one win in 10 competitive games in this stadium since they won the League Cup against the same opponents nine years ago.

Conte also said that he felt Chelsea weren't title favourites this season, but that doesn't bother him as he has faith in his players, as reported by Firstpost.

"It's not important if we are not favourites in this league. It was the same last season. We know we are trying to improve our team, our squad, and the club is trying to do its best in the transfer market to try and improve the team and the squad," the Italian manager said.

Conte also warned Tottenham Hotspur that the magnanimity of the England's historic premier national stadium may serve to inspire visitors to their temporary home in the season ahead, as per the Guardian.

The Chelsea boss suggested the chance to play at Wembley had served to inspire his team.

"Honestly, this atmosphere was great and this stadium, Wembley, is fantastic," Conte said.

"So to feel this atmosphere was amazing, [but] also as an opponent. Our fans tried to push, despite 70,000 Tottenham supporters. But, honestly, I think this kind of atmosphere is great also for the [visiting] opponents."

"I want to thank every one of my players," said the Italian, who had to do without the suspended Gary Cahill and CescFàbregas, the injured Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, who is absent without leave in Brazil.

"They showed me great desire, great spirit, great will, great heart, great will to fight. I saw fighters in a moment that's not easy for us with the suspensions and the injuries. We suffered during the game, but we were always dangerous in every moment."

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