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Agence France-Presse

Chelsea will require 18 more points to win the Premier League title, manager Antonio Conte told his players after their 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s lead was cut to seven points after they lost 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace at the weekend, but they preserved their advantage over Tottenham Hotspur by seeing off City.
Spurs will end the season on 89 points if they win their last eight games and Conte says his side must win six of their remaining fixtures -- which would take them to 90 points -- to be sure of the title.
“I like to say only the winners write history,” he said.
“I have intelligent players. When there is the possibility to send some message, I think these players don’t need this message.
“They know very well the situation. The only message I send them is that we must think Tottenham could win eight games.
“For this reason, we must be focused and try to win six games. If we can do this, we will win the title. Otherwise it will be a good season, but not a great season.”
With Tottenham having come from behind to win 3-1 at Swansea City, Chelsea’s lead would have been cut to four points if they had lost to Manchester City.
Premier League title race back on says shocked Chelsea boss Antonio Conte after Crystal Palace defeat
They took a 10th-minute lead when Eden Hazard scored via a deflection off his Belgium teammate Vincent Kompany, who made his first City start since January.
A loose kick by home goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois – another Belgium international – enabled Sergio Aguero to level for City in the 26th minute.
But Fernandinho’s trip on Pedro gave Hazard a chance to restore Chelsea’s lead from the spot 10 minutes before half-time, which he took at the second attempt after Willy Caballero saved his penalty.
Hazard has now scored 13 goals in all competitions and Conte said: “He’s an important player. He’s growing in his mentality and I think he’s playing a really good season.”
Chelsea became the first team to secure home-and-away wins in the same season against a side managed by Pep Guardiola, who has lost six games in a league campaign for the first time in his coaching career.
Everton’s Ashley Williams targets Manchester United win to get over Merseyside derby woes
City remain fourth, 14 points below Chelsea, and with Arsenal and Manchester United hot on their heels – both four points back with a game in hand – Guardiola knows they face a scrap for a top-four finish.
“Today the Premier League has gone,” Guardiola said.
“We have to think about the last seven, eight games left to get in the Champions League.”
Despite the result, Guardiola professed himself “honoured” to be in charge of City’s players and said quality “in the boxes” had been the only difference between the two teams.
In what could have been construed as a dig at Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who played with six at the back against Chelsea in the FA Cup last month, Guardiola hailed his team’s positivity.
“I’m a lucky guy to be the manager of this club and especially these players,” said the Catalan, whose side drew 2-2 at Arsenal last Sunday.
Beleaguered Arsene Wenger hopes Arsenal can build on Manchester City draw marred by fan protests
“We played with huge personality and not waiting. I saw many teams play here with six at the back.”
He added: “I like to convince our players to play in that way. You can win, you can lose. I will continue to the last day.
“When I’m a spectator, I can see when one team is afraid, just waiting for one action to win the game.
“I don’t like to be reactive. I like my teams to be proactive. I like to have the main role in the game. It’s not easy.
“Our performance was 1,000 miles better than the Arsenal game. Much, much better.
“I would have liked to take points, one or three, to be there. But it was not possible. Hopefully next season we’ll be stronger.”


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English Premier League

Victorious Antonio Conte sets Chelsea 18-point title target after win over Manchester City

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard scores against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Photo: EPA

epa05891150 Manchester City players react after missing a chance in the last minutes during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London, Britain, 05 April 2017. Chelsea won 2-1. EPA/WILL OLIVER 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

epa05891151 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte celebrates after the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London, Britain, 05 April 2017. Chelsea won 2-1. EPA/GERRY PENNY 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

epaselect epa05890952 Chelsea's Eden Hazard (L) vies for the ball against Manchester City's Gael Clichy (R) during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London, Britain, 05 April 2017. EPA/WILL OLIVER 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

Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (C) clears the ball off the line during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on April 5, 2017. Chelsea won the match 2-1. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. 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. /

Sport

Football

Chelsea will require 18 more points to win the Premier League title, manager tells his players after their 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge


Victorious Antonio Conte sets Chelsea 18-point title target after win over Manchester City

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chelsea will require 18 more points to win the Premier League title, manager tells his players after their 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea will require 18 more points to win the Premier League title, manager tells his players after their 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge