Conte preaches killer instinct
Urges Chelsea to be better at killing off games
Chelsea must develop a ruthless mentality to kill games and not invite pressure from their opposition, manager Antonio Conte has said after his side endured a tense finale in their 3-2 League Cup win against third-tier Bristol Rovers.
Two goals from Michy Batshuayi handed Chelsea a 3-1 lead at the interval but Ellis Harrison's penalty early in the second half for Rovers ensured a nervous finish to the second-round game for the Premier League side.
"We must understand when you have the people to kill the game you must," Conte told the British media.
"When you leave it open, a situation like tonight can happen and until the game has finished you are afraid (of a draw)."
England manager Sam Allardyce recently said he would be open to hold talks with John Terry over a possible return to international football, and Conte said it would not be right for him to interfere in the situation.
"I'm a former international team coach so I know this situation and prefer it to be solved between Sam Allardyce and John Terry," the former Italy manager added. "That's the right way.
"John Terry has a great attitude during training and is working very hard. I'm very happy with his commitment.
"But for the international team, it is important for it to be solved between Sam Allardyce and John Terry."
Results elsewhere in the League Cup saw Liverpool romping to a 5-0 win over Burton Albion.
Premier League teams Crystal Palace, Everton, Hull City, Swansea City and Stoke City also went through, Peter Crouch scoring a hat-trick for Stoke in a 4-0 win at Stevenage.
But Watford lost 2-1 at home to third-tier Gillingham after extra time and West Bromwich Albion were beaten 4-3 on penalties by League One side Northampton Town following a 2-2 draw.
The English Premier League continues this weekend with Chelsea welcoming Burnley in their next fixture on Saturday.
EPL fixtures
Saturday 27 August
12:30Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
15:00Watford v Arsenal
15:00Southampton v Sunderland
15:00 Leicester City v Swansea City
15:00Everton v Stoke City
15:00 Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
15:00Chelsea v Burnley
17:30Hull City v Manchester United
Sunday 28 August
13:30 West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough
16:00Manchester City v West Ham United
NAMPA/REUTERS
Two goals from Michy Batshuayi handed Chelsea a 3-1 lead at the interval but Ellis Harrison's penalty early in the second half for Rovers ensured a nervous finish to the second-round game for the Premier League side.
"We must understand when you have the people to kill the game you must," Conte told the British media.
"When you leave it open, a situation like tonight can happen and until the game has finished you are afraid (of a draw)."
England manager Sam Allardyce recently said he would be open to hold talks with John Terry over a possible return to international football, and Conte said it would not be right for him to interfere in the situation.
"I'm a former international team coach so I know this situation and prefer it to be solved between Sam Allardyce and John Terry," the former Italy manager added. "That's the right way.
"John Terry has a great attitude during training and is working very hard. I'm very happy with his commitment.
"But for the international team, it is important for it to be solved between Sam Allardyce and John Terry."
Results elsewhere in the League Cup saw Liverpool romping to a 5-0 win over Burton Albion.
Premier League teams Crystal Palace, Everton, Hull City, Swansea City and Stoke City also went through, Peter Crouch scoring a hat-trick for Stoke in a 4-0 win at Stevenage.
But Watford lost 2-1 at home to third-tier Gillingham after extra time and West Bromwich Albion were beaten 4-3 on penalties by League One side Northampton Town following a 2-2 draw.
The English Premier League continues this weekend with Chelsea welcoming Burnley in their next fixture on Saturday.
EPL fixtures
Saturday 27 August
12:30Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
15:00Watford v Arsenal
15:00Southampton v Sunderland
15:00 Leicester City v Swansea City
15:00Everton v Stoke City
15:00 Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
15:00Chelsea v Burnley
17:30Hull City v Manchester United
Sunday 28 August
13:30 West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough
16:00Manchester City v West Ham United
NAMPA/REUTERS
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