No title talk from Conte after leaders Chelsea win again

While Chelsea’s starting XI at the Etihad is likely to show only three changes from the team that folded at the Emirates, the players’ confidence, attitude and performance levels have been transformed in the interim.

After spending the last three seasons out on loan, Victor Moses is back at Chelsea and finally feeling at home.

The Gunners have not lost a single game since the opening day defeat against Liverpool, but disappointing draws against Middlesbrough and Leicester City have led to them dropping precious points in what looks likely to be a hotly contested title race.

“Stamford Bridge is ideal if we are able to create the right atmosphere, it’s really important for us”, Conte insisted. The players showed a good response to Monaco, they showed the right mentality.

The Blues played with more pace and guile in the second half to secure their seventh successive Premier League win. “It was a good goal and in the second half the team were really strong”, added the former Barcelona man. “We must continue to work”.

“When you win a special derby, you must be happy”.

“I repeat we can improve a lot, starting from the back, but it’s important to start”.

“Above all after this type of game we have to wait, to speak, to not write things (in the media)”.

The Blues’ win snaps any distant hopes of matching their North London rivals’ invinceable season and leaves them a solid seven points off the Premier League summit.

“Man City and Liverpool”, Hazard told reporters when asked who his team’s title rivals were.

“It was a very hard game for us but we are very happy for the win”, said the Spain global.

Part of Chelsea’s success has been down to Conte’s switch to his much-trusted 3-4-3 formation and the Italian is revelling in the league leaders’ upturn in fortunes. They dropped off a little bit more and allowed us to play our football.

Conte’s defensive set-up came under intense pressure from the Spurs’ central midfield, but they held on and went into the half-time with a last-gasp goal through curler into the far post. “We will give everything and be ready for the game”.