Chelsea manager Antonio Conte expressed regret after his side’s 13-game winning run in the Premier League was ended by a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
Leaders Chelsea were aiming to become the first team to win 14 successive games in the same English top-flight season, but Dele Alli’s brace of headers stopped them short of the record.
Chelsea’s lead over second-place Liverpool remains five points, while Tottenham are now seven points off the pace in third place.
“I saw a good game with great balance between two teams very strong,” the Chelsea boss said following the defeat.
“There was good intensity in the game. Tottenham and Chelsea created chances to score a goal but Tottenham scored in the best moment for them and the worst moment for us,”
“At the start of the second half we started very well and created chances to score but then we conceded the second goal.
“They were two similar goals but I was a footballer and that can happen in a game.
“We have to continue to work and improve and it is normal.
“This is a process and we started this process only five months ago and with time we can improve, and we will improve.”
Chelsea already lost against title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal earlier in the season before Conte decided to switch to the 3-4-3 formation. And the Italian boss insisted the defeat to Tottenham was completely different.
“We are disappointed but also we must be pleased for our run as 13 wins in this league is not easy,” Conte said.
“Today we lost against a good team, a really strong team and don’t forget Tottenham fought last season for the title.
“Mauricio Pochettino has worked with his team for many years and they are improving, and they are one of the six teams that can fight to the end to win the title, or a place in the Champions League.”
“Now we have to restart, to continue to work and this defeat is totally different if you compare with our defeats in September, because at that moment we were not a team. Tonight we showed we are a strong team and this is important.”
