Chelsea’s Italian head coach Antonio Conte reacts at the final whistle on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on August 20, 2016.
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And Heurelho Gomes could only deflect Fabregas’s shot into the path of Michy Batshuayi for Chelsea’s equaliser before his wonderful pass teed up Diego Costa for the victor.
Conte is enjoying a flawless start to life at Stamford Bridge and praised the togetherness of his squad after turning to his bench for match-winning inspiration.
“We all know Cesc is a great technical player with a good pass and good assists and I made this substitution because I wanted more quality”, Conte said. But it was the same against West Ham. When new players come on, there is a great impact. I feel good because I saw the right commitment, the right spirit from my team.
“When you don’t start the game (well), usually you’re not happy”.
In these two games, we saw this.
“We want to mix it with the best teams and we did today”.
“I’m pleased, I’m pleased for Cesc because he’s working very hard in training sessions to show me that he deserves to play”.
“I think the work always pays off”, he added.
The Northern Ireland global told the Watford Observer: “Fitness might come into it a little bit, but it’s still early in the season and we’re all finding our feet”.
“The start of the season is important to change the situation compared to last season”.
“It won’t be easy”.
“I’m pleased for the substitutes that came off the bench”. He can improve a lot.
Chelsea face Bristol Rovers in the League Cup tomorrow evening, hoping to maintain their 100% start to the season.
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Walter Mazzarri is still waiting for his first win after a 1-1 draw at Southampton on the opening day was followed up with this galling defeat.
