Conte with PedroGetty Images

Conte desperate to avoid repeat of Spurs dominance against City

Antonio Conte feels that Tottenham taught Chelsea a lesson that can help them improve, revealing that he took his players through video analysis sessions after one of their toughest halves of the season. 

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The Blues were dominated by Spurs in the first period of their 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge last week, with Christian Eriksen opening the scoring early in the half after his side's pressing game unsettled the league leaders, though Pedro netted an unlikely equaliser with a wonderful curling effort. 

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Conte revealed his admiration for the way Tottenham played and believes that they are capable of winning the title, despite his club's fans regarding their opponents as their most hated rivals. 

“The first half against Tottenham was very difficult," Conte told a news conference at Stamford Bridge. "But usually when you have this kind of difficulty you can learn a lot. This week we studied our first half a lot.

"And I think I showed the situation to improve in the future. But it's important also to understand that the last game we played against a top team. Tottenham are a top team with a great squad and a great manager.

0d318149a7242db3867220e8e6e36dadef234c2fPedro Chelsea TottenhamGetty

"Don't forget, last season they fought for the title until the end while we arrived in 10th place. This season, to see Tottenham have seven points less than us is a great achievement for us.

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"They can fight until the end to win the title. They're a really good team. I showed [the team] the first half and we learned a lot. But I think that, if we were the team at the start of the season against Liverpool and Arsenal, I'm sure we'd have lost this type of game.”

“We conceded a goal in the last game against Tottenham. For sure, when you've had six in a row without conceding, there is a bit of disappointment. But it's normal. Eriksen scored a fantastic goal, but against Tottenham we didn't concede chances for them to score another goal.

"We have to continue this way and show we are solid in every game. Tomorrow is a test, an important test of our solidity.”

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