Sunday 10 December 2017 06:22, UK
Antonio Conte has conceded that it is "impossible" for Chelsea to fight for the title after their fourth Premier League defeat of the season, at West Ham.
The Blues were hoping to close the gap on Manchester United and Manchester City at the top of the table ahead of their Derby Day clash on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, but could not find a reply to Marko Arnautovic's sixth-minute strike.
It sees Chelsea remain 11 points behind Premier League leaders Man City, and Conte admitted after the game that their defence of the title could be over.
"This is the fourth defeat in 16 games. In my previous experience, when you lose four games in a season, it's impossible to stay and fight for the title," he said.
"In 16 games and to lose four, it means that a target must be another. If you want to stay in the race for the title in the first part of the season you can only lose once or twice."
It was the second game in five days for Chelsea following their midweek draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and Conte says tiredness can occur when the games come around quickly.
"I think maybe today many players were tired. Also because there were a lot of mistakes with the final decision, the important decisions and it means that you are a bit tired," he added.
"But I repeat, when you play both games in a few days and to play with mostly the same players, it can happen.
"When you lose, for sure, there is a great disappointment. Our start was very bad because we conceded a goal. Then at 1-0 down, we tried but you have to know in this situation when you play against West Ham in a London derby, it is very difficult."
