Antonio Conte explains why Chelsea aren’t challenging Man City in title race
The Chelsea manager explains why the defending champions are struggling to compete with Manchester City
Antonio Conte believes Chelsea are lacking good fortune in the title race this season.
The Blues returned to winning ways on Boxing Day with a comfortable 2-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge to move to within a point of second-placed Manchester United.
The west London side made the breakthrough in the second half thanks to Alvaro Morata’s tenth Premier League goal of the 2017-18 season before Spanish defender Marcos Alonso extended their lead.
Chelsea are still 13 points behind runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s side have played one game less than the defending champions in the title race so far.
The Blues won the Premier League title with two games to spare last term after finishing seven points clear of runners up Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League table.
However, the Italian coach believes Chelsea are lacking some of their luck from their title-winning campaign.
“This season is different to last season,” Conte told his post-match media conference.
“Last season a lot of times we won games and were a bit lucky – like against West Brom here, Sunderland. This season sometimes we could have more luck.
“We have great respect for Manchester City because they are doing an extraordinary thing.”
Chelsea have won the Premier League title in two of the past three seasons.
The Blues lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley back in May to miss out on a unique double in Conte’s first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
