Antonio’s verdict on Chelsea: “This point is important”

Antonio Conte praised the players for their ‘will to suffer’ as we came from behind twice to snatch a dramatic late point as it finished 2-2 at Chelsea on Sunday.

Harry Kane rose highest to glance home Ivan Perisic’s corner in the 96^th minute to earn a share of the spoils after we’d trailed twice in another Premier League blockbuster at Stamford Bridge.

Earlier, we’d actually started well, but Kalidou Koulibaly’s volley from Marc Cucurella’s corner on 19 minutes put Chelsea on the front foot, and they had chances to extend that lead before we started to chip our way back into the game in the second half.

Indeed, hopes were high when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg rifled home the equaliser on 68 minutes, only for the wind to be taken out of our sails when Raheem Sterling found Reece James in space and he made no mistake. The home side missed further chances and were made to pay in the final seconds when Perisic delivered an inswinging corner met by Kane, sending the away end into raptures in SW6.

Speaking to SPURSPLAY pitchside, Antonio told us: “This point is important. Last season we lost three games (to Chelsea in January) but lost three games without playing. It was a big, big difference.

“It was an intensive game in many aspects, not just tactical, but also this type of game, if you don’t show great personality and character to stay in the game, it’s difficult. We’re talking about one of the best teams in England, in Europe.

“At the same time, I have to praise my players about the will to suffer, to stay in the game and then, at the end, to get a good result for us.

“If I have to compare this performance to last season, for sure, I can see good things. At the same time, I have to be honest, we can do better. We can do better with the ball, to be more calm, this apart, eight months ago the situation was really, really difficult.

“We are working very hard and I’m enjoying a lot working with these players. We have to continue because to reduce the gap with this type of team, you need time, patience and to go step by step. This is a good point, if, on Saturday, we are going to win against Wolverhampton.”