Conte brought on Batshuayi in place of Oscar with Chelsea trailing 1-0 to Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, and the Belgium striker made an nearly immediate impact in the 80th minute when he followed up Eden Hazard’s low shot to score his first Premier League goal and level the score.
Advertisement
Defender Craig Cathcart believes fitness levels could have played a part as Chelsea’s late rally led to Watford’s 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
Capoue put Watford in front a little after the hour mark, and it was down to Batshuayi and Costa to win it for the blues in the final 10 minutes. We must pay a lot of attention, because it is a unsafe game for us.
“I’m pleased for the right commitment, attitude of the players, the right spirit”.
Bolstering Chelsea’s defensive ranks will be Antonio Conte’s main priority ahead of the Premier League transfer deadline.
“Sometimes when many people or players talk about one player, it’s very hard for the player to play in a relaxed way”.
Conte agreed that his intense fitness regime, which has included double sessions in pre-season, has paid off in Chelsea s ability to perform strongly late in games.
Diego Costa scored the victor last time out but the Brazilian-born hitman was fortunate to still be on the field after escaping punishment for a horror tackle on Hammers keeper Adrian, but Chelsea were still good value for the win.
“Costa is for us an important player”. Both goals were our errors.
[And] we all know Cesc is a great player with a great technique, a good pass and assist.
“We have to improve in playing the ball better and keep it better especially because in those occasions we had the opportunity to play in a simple way”.
Advertisement
“Of course, week by week, I will see which team is more prepared to start each match”. “We complicated our life”, he said.
