Chelsea will require 18 more points to win the Premier League title, manager Antonio Conte told his players after their 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s lead was cut to seven points after they lost 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace at the weekend, but they preserved their advantage over Tottenham Hotspur by seeing off City.
Spurs will end the season on 89 points if they win their last eight games and Conte says his side must win six of their remaining fixtures — which would take them to 90 points — to be sure of the title.
“I like to say only the winners write history,” he said.
“I have intelligent players. When there is the possibility to send some message, I think these players don’t need this message.
“They know very well the situation. The only message I send them is that we must think Tottenham could win eight games.
“For this reason, we must be focused and try to win six games. If we can do this, we will win the title. Otherwise it will be a good season, but not a great season.”
With Tottenham having come from behind to win 3-1 at Swansea City, Chelsea’s lead would have been cut to four points if they had lost to Manchester City.
They took a 10th-minute lead when Eden Hazard scored via a deflection off his Belgium team-mate Vincent Kompany, who made his first City start since January.
A loose kick by home goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois — another Belgium international — enabled Sergio Aguero to level for City in the 26th minute.
But Fernandinho’s trip on Pedro gave Hazard a chance to restore Chelsea’s lead from the spot 10 minutes before half-time, which he took at the second attempt after Willy Caballero saved his penalty.
Hazard has now scored 13 goals in all competitions and Conte said: “He’s an important player. He’s growing in his mentality and I think he’s playing a really good season.”
Chelsea became the first team to secure home-and-away wins in the same season against a side managed by Pep Guardiola, who has lost six games in a league campaign for the first time in his coaching career.
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