Chelsea press conference
Antonio Conte post-match press conference RECAP: Chelsea manager blames himself for loss
The Blues manager spoke to the press after the 2-0 loss at Old Trafford
Oliver HarbordChelsea correspondent
Antonio Conte looks on at Old Trafford (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League table is now just four points after their 2-0 defeat at Manchester United this afternoon.
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera were enough to down the Blues who had an off day in the pouring Manchester rain.
It was a difficult day for Antonio Conte's side who could not get anything going among Jose Mourinho's tactics.
Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Rashford scores opener, Marcos Alonso and Courtois injured
'We're top of the league' rang out among the Chelsea supporters during much of the second half, but Spurs are creeping just the ever bit closer to them.
Marcos Alonso and Thibaut Courtois were both out of the encounter through injuries, Alonso's coming in the warm-up and things went from bad to worse for Chelsea.
'Just awful refereeing!' Chelsea fans fume at Bobby Madley for failure to see Ander Herrera handball
Hear what Conte and Mourinho had to say after the game right here.
Conte is here 18:44
Disappointing display 18:04
A definite downbeat Conte
Manager blaming himself there for the defeat. Was he out thought my Mourinho?
End of Conte
That's it from Antonio Conte this afternoon.
Does it change how you approach the cup
We all know the next game you go in the final or not. For this reason you must give 200 per cent to get there. Tottenham are feeling the possibility to make history. This is a game between two teams that are in contention to win the league this season. I think it will be an interesting game. We have five days to prepare and then play and be the best.
Right character?
For sure I must have confidence in myself and in the players and the club, it is not the first time they have faced this situation. We must be proud because we are doing a very good job. We must see what is wrong and then find out together. But the fault is mine
How much pressure?
That is normal, I prefer to fight for the title and have the pressure than not and be calm. We are lucky to have the pressure, last season they didn't being ten place. We must understand this. A really important thing is happening this season. We are doing a great job and if you compare last season and must have a great enthusiasm to win the last few games. If we win we must be proud, if not we must clap another team.
Alonso effect the balance?
He had a virus during the night, we tried to recover him but it wasn't possible, so he didn't play
Courtois and Alonso injury
After a defeat it is not right to go into a different situation. I think Courtois had an injury during the week, so he wasn't available. I think it is right to focus on the game and not find an excuse
Concerned at this stage?
I think we lost two games, but these two games were totally different. I think today we deserved to lose the game. We have to think there are six finals to the end, we have a 50% probability to win the league. It would be good to finish to be top of the table, it means that we have deserved it
Spurs physcological?
I think the impact was very tough today, but when you play at Old Trafford it is normal to have this type of impact against a really strong team. I don;t think we played a good game, they deserved to win the game. They showed more determination to win. It is very simple. But the fault is on the coach, because he didn't give the right motivation, determination to win this game
18:44 KEY EVENT
Conte is here
What will the Chelsea boss say?
Slightly calmer Jose
That was a more restrained Jose Mourinho in that press conference. More interested in talking about the United win than Chelsea's title hopes. Thought he might stick the knife in a little, but more interested in talking about his players than Chelsea's
End of Jose
That's it from the Manchester United manager, we await Conte now
Do Chelsea have the nerve
That is a question for Antonio. They are in the position everyone wants to be. It is better to be in Chelsea position than Spurs position, that is for sure.
On his tactics and Bobby Madley
There are different teams, different players and it might be hard to find a Herrera to do the job he did today. I was convinced before the cup that controlling the two players that play behind Diego, controlling the full-backs with two wide men would create lots of problems. They are phenomanl on the counter, but when they have the ball they find it more difficult. Today we controlled. I'm not saying that because we won, but the young referee was very good, he is getting a lot of experience. I thought he was very good
JM says they are paying the price of drawing too many matches, which is why they are not fighting for the title.
Satisfaction?
It is for different reasons. If we hadn't won today then goodbye Champions League, second reason because they are the leader. It could have been Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham, so it is a good feeling to beat the leader. My objective was that I had the feeling before the match, with these players then we have been in the FA Cup in the semi-final
He is always on the pitch, a couple of times he doesn't play. This season is a phenemonal one for him. Is he scoring enough? No, he is missing a bit. Even today, but the kid played very well and good experience for him
I think we have had very good performances, today was a special performance because it is a special opponent. They are the leaders, we gave them double problems, with or without the ball. We were very sharp and aggressive and I am very happy.
Jose is here
We'll bring you the quotes from both managers when they arrive. At the moment it is a bit of a waiting game in a packed press room.
What happened to Courtois?
Rumours are the keeper got injured playing basketball, we'll try and get that cleared up for you
Jubilant Jose
We're expecting to see a Jose who will be in buoyant, defiant and maybe a little smug mood after that win. Whereas Conte will definitely be the other way around
Here is what we thought of the Chelsea players in that defeat. It's not massively pretty reading. Have a look here
Disappointing display
That really wasn't Chelsea at their best and the gap is now down to four points. What will Conte say about that?
ChelseaThe unsung Chelsea star who will be hit hard by Erling Haaland transfer and it's not Timo WernerThe Blues academy graduate is used to fighting for his spot at Chelsea, but the potential arrival of Haaland may be one battle too many
Erling Haaland has already delivered his verdict on Frank Lampard ahead of Chelsea transfer bid
Erling HaalandErling Haaland caught the eye with Red Bull Salzburg and earned a lucrative transfer to Borussia Dortmund in January
Chelsea evening headlines as Blues dealt huge Erling Haaland transfer blow and £35m flop departs
Chelsea transfer newsYour evening Chelsea headlines for Monday, including an update on Chelsea's summer transfer window priorities, the latest on Erling Haaland and news of a departure
Full Chelsea squad revealed for Leicester City clash as Frank Lampard has big decisions to make
ChelseaA look at the matchday squad Frank Lampard has available to him for Chelsea's mouth-watering clash with the impressive Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The big-money summer signing nobody at Chelsea talks about and for one very good reason
ChelseaChelsea spent more than £200 million on players in the summer transfer window yet one of the biggest signings has been constantly overlooked
Chelsea transfer news live: Loan deal confirmed, Alaba agreement, Erling Haaland blow
ChelseaJoin us live for all the latest Chelsea transfer updates, including the latest on Fikayo Tomnori's loan exit and updates on Erling Haaland's future amid links with the Blues.
Tottenham injury newsLo Celso, Alli and Reguilon: Latest Tottenham injury news and expected return datesThe latest Tottenham injury news and updates as Jose Mourinho's side gear up for three games in under a week
Ziyech, Kante, Christensen: Chelsea confirmed team news and injury updates ahead of Leicester
Chelsea injury newsChelsea will take on Leicester City in a tough test for Frank Lampard's side in the Premier League