Cautious Conte reckons title talk premature

Chelsea moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League with Wednesday's 1-0 victory at Sunderland, but Antonio Conte was keen to silence title talk.

The Blues manager remained cautious because, although Chelsea has a significant advantage over its rivals, the Londoners unconvincing performance should encourage the chasing pack.

Chelsea needed a 40th-minute Cesc Fabregas goal to beat struggling Sunderland, which was close to a stoppage-time equalizer when Patrick Van Aanholt's strike was brilliantly saved by Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

"I prefer not to look at the top of the table," Conte said. "We are doing something important up to now, but the league doesn't finish today.

"There are still three games before the halfway stage of the season."

The Italian said his team was far from its best, but he was encouraged by the way it kept fighting to secure a 10th straight league win.

"It's very hard to win any game and we had to fight hard to win this one," Conte said.

"I think we created chances to score a second goal and kill the game before Sunderland had a big chance to draw at the end. We needed a great save from Thibaut.

"I was particularly pleased for Cesc because it was only the third game he has started. He showed fantastic commitment."

Spanish playmaker Fabregas, still adapting to Chelsea's 3-4-3 system, said: "The performance was really good and I felt we were very, very strong.

"Now we want to keep winning. Hopefully we can continue like this and send out a strong message.

"People forget that it's only the second time in my career that I've played this system.

"My teammates have played it much more, but I'm getting used to it and feel very comfortable.

"There are a lot of players who I can find with passes and there's protection behind me. I'm enjoying it a lot."

Chelsea is closing on Arsenal's record of 14 consecutive victories, achieved over two seasons.

A trip to Crystal Palace is next on Saturday before Bournemouth and Stoke come to Stamford Bridge.

They are matches Chelsea is expected to win, but the same was said about its visit to Stadium of Light, where Sunderland has hit only 10 goals and now won just two matches this term.

"It is not easy to win 10 games in a row in this league, so I'm pleased for my players," Conte said.

"They deserve it because of their commitment and work - rate in training sessions and every game."

Black Cats manager David Moyes faces a huge task to avoid relegation, but the former Manchester United boss drew solace from his team's strong showing against Chelsea.

"We can come off saying we have had a right go at a top team, to compete," Moyes said.

"We got better in the second half and finished strongly, but didn't quite do enough to get something out of the game.

"Their keeper made two great saves and I thought Patrick's shot at the end was in, but it was really good save.

"You need a top keeper and a top striker and we have that here, but so have Chelsea and they are a real threat.

"It's too early to say if they'll be champions. We restricted them to a few opportunities but we couldn't stop them controlling the game."

Klopp cold on canceled Karius

Manager Jurgen Klopp offered Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius no guarantee of a recall after dropping the German for Wednesday's 3-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Klopp said it was difficult telling the 23-year-old that he was being benched in favor of Belgium international Simon Mignolet for the triumph at Riverside Stadium that pushed the Anfield club to second spot in the Premier League.

Karius paid the price for conceding six goals in two games as Liverpool dropped five points against Bournemouth and West Ham to dent its title chances.

The Reds now trail leader Chelsea by six points after climbing above Arsenal due to its superior goals tally, and Klopp said: "Loris is not that fine (about being dropped) but it's a normal decision in football.

"When you're not at the best moment you step aside, train hard and see what happens. It's not the best moment for him at present."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 12/16/2016 page23)