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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte hits back at critics

Antonio Conte hits back at Chelsea critics
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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists that those who believe his side are top of the Premier League simply due to their lack of European commitments are 'mistaken'.

Antonio Conte has insisted that Chelsea's charge towards a second Premier League success in three years is down to more than simply being fresher than their title rivals.

The Blues have had no European football to contend with this term as a result of finishing down in a lowly 10th spot last season, instead being given a full week's rest between most league outings.

Jose Mourinho is among those to have suggested that this is a key factor behind Chelsea's current standing at the top, where they sit seven points clear, but Conte was quick to dismiss this 'mistaken theory' ahead of his side's trip to take on Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

"I listened to this story from when I was the coach at Juventus in my first season," he told reporters. "I can tell you Liverpool are the same. For sure, we had more time to work with the team.

"This is my first season with a new club, and it's important to have more time to work and transfer your ideas of football. But if this is the only reason you [think Chelsea] stay on top of the table, it's a great mistake. We are doing a great job.

"We hope in the future to play the great competitions like the Champions League. I prefer this."

Chelsea have lost four games all season in the top flight, the most recent of which came against Crystal Palace a fortnight ago.

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Jose Mourinho manager of Chelsea shakes hands with Diego Costa of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Chelsea FC and FC Porto at Stamford Bridge on December 9, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
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15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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