Tuesday 12 December 2017 23:45, UK
Antonio Conte has offered no apologies for writing off Chelsea's title challenge, and said his side must win "every game" to have a hope of catching Manchester City.
Less than halfway through the Premier League campaign the Italian had declared the Blues' title defence over after Saturday's defeat to West Ham, with unbeaten City opening up a 14-point gap on Chelsea the following day.
Chelsea reduced the deficit to 11 again with a comfortable 3-1 success over Huddersfield on Tuesday - with Tiemoue Bakayoko, Willian and Pedro all on target - yet Conte hit back at the notion he had invited negativity by insisting his team would not overhaul City.
He said: "It doesn't mean we don't want to try to catch them but we have to hope they have a big, big slip and for us then to win every game in this league. And it is very difficult in this league. You have to put in 120 per cent otherwise you risk dropping points.
"When you tell the truth, this is the truth. We had 14 points less than Manchester City. In 16 games they won 15 and drew one. In 17 games we lost four.
"When you have a competitor like City and every game they are winning, it is very difficult to think you can fight for the title.
"We must be realistic and tell the truth. I prefer to tell the truth than a good lie. I am like this and sometimes I can be too honest but I like to speak very honestly with my players and with our fans also."
Chelsea were comfortable at the John Smith's Stadium, but Conte again referred to the fact his side have won seven out of the last nine, but have still dropped further back behind Pep Guardiola's side.
"To win this way is very important, very important, because it improves our confidence, especially after defeat against West Ham," he added.
"Don't forget that in the last nine games, Chelsea have won seven games, drew only one game against Liverpool away, and lost against West Ham.
"I think that we are having a good path in the league. But there is a team in this moment that is very difficult to stop.
"I think when you have a team in your league win 15 games out of 16 games, it is not simple to think in a positive way, because I repeat in the last nine games we won seven, but despite this we are 11 points, they have to play tomorrow (Wednesday), and maybe it will be the same again, 14 points.
"We have to go game-by-game, get three points for our table, and don't forget this league is very difficult, there are six teams fighting for the title, the Champions League and the Europa League. We have to look at ourselves to improve."
