Conte praises ‘fire in our eyes’ after Chelsea comeback stuns Southampton

By Daily Sports on April 15, 2018

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says his team showed “the right fire in our eyes” as they mounted a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to win at Southampton.

The victory – thanks to three goals in eight second-half minutes – kept alive their faint hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Dusan Tadic’s opener, a placed effort following Ryan Bertrand’s marauding run, and Polish defender Jan Bednarek’s left-footed shot looked to be lifting Saints out of the bottom three.

But, with Mark Hughes seemingly on course for a first league victory as Southampton manager since arriving on 14 March, the entrance of substitute Olivier Giroud, who scored twice, sparked a listless Chelsea into life.

The France forward’s header – his first league goal for Antonio Conte’s team – and left-footed drive sandwiched Eden Hazard’s left-foot finish as the Blues moved within seven points of fourth-placed Tottenham.

“I was very angry from our first half,” Conte said. “In the second half we showed great character, great determination and desire to win the game. We showed the right fire in our eyes.”

For an hour, Chelsea’s performance epitomised their travails since the turn of the year, with the defending champions having collected just 12 points from the previous 33 available.

Willian’s 55th-minute shot was their first effort on target, and there were question marks over the application of several players in the build-up to both Saints goals.

One of those players – wing-back Marcos Alonso who crossed for Giroud’s header – was also fortunate to escape without punishment for standing on the back of Southampton forward Shane Long’s calf in the first half.

The incident left the Southampton manager furious and calling for the Football Association to take retrospective action, which could potentially rule Alonso out of next Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final rematch between the clubs.

“It was a poor challenge, it should have been a red card in my view,” Hughes said.

“I don’t think he was booked, so maybe people need to look at that again, retrospectively. Thankfully he’s just about OK, but he’s been raked down the calf.

“We’re not here to accuse people, and no sour grapes, but a decision needs to be made on that because it’s not acceptable.”

Southampton remain 18th as they try to avoid slipping into the Championship for the first time since 2011-12. (BBC)

•Photo shows Eden Hazard slotting in Chelsea’s equaliser against Southampton

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 15, 2018


 

You may also like...
Athelete aunctions medal for earthquake victims

Benitez Defends Decision To Substitute Richarlison

Chelsea fans chant Roman Abramovich's name during Ukraine...

Roma Sign Wolves Goalkeeper, Patricio

Watford boss hints at Isaac Success swoop, tips...

Mourinho threatens to 'break Wenger's face' after Mata...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,402 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,407 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,549 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,225 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,007 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,889 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,775 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,229 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,277 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,186 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,640 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,216 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media