Antonio’s verdict on Norwich and the ‘big achievement’ of securing fourth place

Antonio Conte felt the atmosphere was right during the build-up to Sunday’s final, decisive Premier League fixture at Norwich City - and the players delivered a place in next season’s Champions League in style with a commanding 5-0 victory.

Needing a point to secure fourth, an early goal from Dejan Kulusevski (16 minutes) settled any doubts and by the time Harry Kane headed home for 2-0 (32) we were fully in control. ‘Deki’ delivered a spectacular third goal on 64 minutes before Heung-Min Son completed a day to remember with two goals out of the top-drawer (70, 75) to initially go ahead of Mo Salah in the Golden Boot standings. Salah scored late for Liverpool and with the pair tied on 23 goals, they shared the honour.

Most importantly though, we secured fourth and will take our place back in the group stage of the Champions League next season.

Asked what he said to the players in the build up to such an important fixture, Antonio told us: “I was very clear with the team. I said if we go there and start to play to not concede a goal and go for a draw, this is not the right way.

“Instead, we have to go straight onto the pitch and go strong from the start until the end. It was enough to say this once. Yesterday, today, during the week, I felt the atmosphere around the team, so positive, they understood the importance of playing Champions League next season.

“We have to be very pleased for this big achievement. Honestly, it was very difficult to imagine in November to get a place in the Champions League. To bring the team to fourth place, with great results, also, to score a lot of goals and today, another clean sheet - we finished the season with 16 clean sheets - it means the team became stable.

“I’ve said before, in the past, important teams, teams who want to win, teams who want to fight for something important, have to be stable, not up and down. This group of players improved a lot in this part.

“I’m very pleased. I want to say thanks to my players - they wanted this improvement. Every coach, every manager, you can bring your work and your ideas, but then you have to find a group of players to believe in what you say and the work you do. For this reason, I want to say thanks to my staff, also, and the players, and the Club, because when you have this big achievement, every single part did their jobs.”