Conte Focused On League Crown, Not Record

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Conte Focused On League Crown, Not Record

Antonio Conte insisted his focus is on the Premier League title and not seeing his Chelsea side set a new record of successive league victories.

The 3-0 defeat of Bournemouth on Monday set a new club record of 12 straight league wins, one short of Arsenal’s single-season mark from 14 years ago.

Victory over Stoke at Stamford Bridge next weekend will set up the possibility of Conte’s side breaking the record at Tottenham Hotspur.

Conte, though, says the only thing that concerns him is the impact on the table that shows Chelsea clear in top spot.

“If you ask me I hope to continue winning until the end of the season but, for sure, it is not easy,” said Conte.

“I am pleased to see my players with great concentration and focus, with great will to fight and continue in this way.

“To win 12 games in a row is not easy in this league.

“It’s a fantastic run but it’s important to continue that now.

“For me, it’s important only for the table.

“With these 12 wins in a row we took 36 points and our table position is fantastic now. It’s important only for this.

“I always thought that the record is not important if at the end you don’t reach something important in your championship.”

Pedro set Chelsea on course for victory with a 24th-minute opener before Eden Hazard added the second from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half and Pedro added the third in injury time.

Victory was achieved without suspended duo Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante and Conte believes this only increased the scale of his side’s achievement and will be noted by their main rivals.

“I think today we sent a good message,” said Conte.