bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Antonio Conte said Chelsea’s Premier League title defence is effectively over following his team’s 1-0 defeat by West Ham United on Saturday.
The loss at the London Stadium was the champions fourth in their opening 16 league games and left them 11 points behind Manchester City 24 hours before the leaders face second-placed Manchester United.
“To talk about the title race after a defeat is a bit strange,” said Conte.
“Especially if this is the fourth defeat in 16 games. When you have this start it is impossible to think you are in the title race.
“If you want to stay in the title race you can lose once or twice in this period.
“After 16 games if you lose four games it means we never started this race.
“Manchester City are having a fantastic season and if you want to stay in the title race you must give consistency and this is not the case with us.”
Conte made it clear he believes one of the reasons for his side’s stuttering progress this season – unlike last year they have also had to contend with the demands of European football – is the lack of options in his squad.
The Italian was frustrated at the club’s failure to bring in more players during the last transfer window.
“A lot of players were tired,” said the 48-year-old.
“We started the pre-season with the same players, the same players are playing almost always and for sure you have to pay.
“If you remember I said it would be very, very tough, it would be very difficult.”
Marko Arnautovic’s struck in the sixth minute to secure West Ham’s win with his first since joining the Hammers in July in a club record £24 million (HK$250.7 million) deal from Stoke City.
David Moyes’ first win in his fifth game since taking over from Slaven Bilic came after another good display at Manchester City on Sunday, where they were edged late 2-1, but it was not enough to lift the club out of the bottom three ahead of their midweek visit from Arsenal.
“All managers need wins very quickly,” said Moyes.
“I think coming to the club I had a very difficult run of fixtures but today the game plan worked and we were very close at Manchester City.
“I went into the dressing room, congratulated the players, put my jacket on, and then thought ‘oh no, it’s Arsenal this week’.
“But that’s how it is for managers.”
Moyes, who is seeking to succeed where he failed with Sunderland last term in keeping the Hammers up, said he was working hard on the players fitness so they could see out the whole 90 minutes.
“I think our energy levels have improved massively but I definitely want to get more out of them,” said Moyes.
“I don’t want my forwards to think they can come off after 65 minutes although to be fair, Marko (Arnautovic) had a slight calf problem,” added the 54-year-old Scot.


Premier League to branch out with new Singapore streaming service, could Hong Kong follow?

Hong Kong-born Daniel Bennie chasing Premier League dream with Championship club QPR

Man City, Juventus ‘exploring summer options’ over Hong Kong Football Festival

Man Utd’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe apologises for ‘language’ on immigration after backlash

English Premier League

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte concedes title chances are gone after stunning loss to West Ham

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte conceded his side’s chances of claiming the Premier League title after the loss to West Ham. Photo: Reuters

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United vs Chelsea - London Stadium, London, Britain - December 9, 2017 West Ham United's Adrian in action Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

West Ham United manager David Moyes celebrates after the end of the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Chelsea at the London stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United vs Chelsea - London Stadium, London, Britain - December 9, 2017 Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta (R) and team mates look dejected at half time REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Sport

Football

The loss at the London Stadium leaves them 11 points behind Manchester City


Chelsea boss Antonio Conte concedes title chances are gone after stunning loss to West Ham

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The loss at the London Stadium leaves them 11 points behind Manchester City

The loss at the London Stadium leaves them 11 points behind Manchester City