Conte: Tottenham showed strength of Chelsea´s title rivals

They now sit seven points adrift of Chelsea in fifth and still have not won at Stamford Bridge since February 1990. The playmaker was carried off on a stretcher in the first half with his right leg in a brace after a challenge with Sunderland midfielder Didier Ndong. Kyle Walker and Kane almost added a second, before Pedro’s equaliser on the the stroke of half-time. One of Spurs’ star performers. Chelsea went ahead soon in the second half with Victor Moses scoring in the 51st minute winner off a Diego Costa assist. “This is the most important thing”.

But Chelsea equalize just before the break.

While the tempestuous departure of Jose Mourinho left Chelsea ravaged and dispirited last season, Conte has restored a sense of team unity this year that was crucial in beating previously undefeated Tottenham. “They scored and for us it was impossible, but I think it was a very competitive game”.

VICTOR MOSES SAYS he has found a home at Chelsea after his fine season continued with the winner against Tottenham.

A draw was possible, but one major defensive error ruined everything.

Spurs’ high press caused Chelsea serious problems in the first half, but Conte said he would continue to ask his players to play the ball out from the back. This sucked all of the Tottenham defenders towards the middle.

Moses has been revitalized with the arrival this season of Antonio Conte, who has deployed him as a wing-back.

Missing Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose, Spurs were patched up at the back, where centre-back Kevin Wimmer filled in at left-back and Eric Dier partnered Jan Vertonghen in the centre.

Swansea’s Fernando Llorente scored twice in stoppage time to hand his side a victory over Crystal Palace in a thrilling encounter that saw nine goals being scored at the Liberty stadium.

The Nigerian was found by the Spain global totally unmarked before his shot flicked off Hugo Lloris and went in off Jan Vertonghen.

A mental error on Spurs’ defense cost them a vital point. But earning a point would have helped.

There was more late drama at Leicester City, where Islam Slimani put away a 94th-minute penalty, Leicester’s second of the match, in a 2-2 draw after Alvaro Negredo thought he had done enough to secure a rare Middlesbrough away win with goals either side of halftime.

Unfortunately, what little confidence Spurs might have could be completely gone. “There was a fantastic atmosphere and I know about this type of football in England”. That, and Antonio Conte managed a flawless second half.

The Italian manager opted to have his team sit deeper. But Chelsea will need a replacement body at the back and the jury’s still out on whether Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz are the flawless defensive trio long-term.