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Antonio Conte’s new guard maintain Chelsea’s fighting spirit of old | Jacob Steinberg

Eden Hazard and co have a softer edge than their predecessors but proved against Tottenham that they can stand firm despite losing the likes of John TerryTold all week that this game would define the title race, the moment when the balance of power would swing Tottenham Hotspur’s way, a less durable team than Chelsea might have responded to Dele Alli’s splendid equaliser shortly after half-time by crumbling. On another day, it would have been in the script. Tottenham, brilliant and refreshing, were on top. They were surely going to reach the FA Cup final. Then they were going to win the league.But even when Chelsea were on the ropes, to doubt them in the moments before Eden Hazard’s decisive...

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Chelsea’s Antonio Conte the tactical werewolf bares teeth and bites Spurs | Barney Ronay

The Chelsea manager gambled but both his starting XI and his substitutions paid off in a display that had his imprint stamped all over itWith 15 minutes gone on a fun, balmy, febrile afternoon at Wembley, Antonio Conte could be seen cavorting on the touchline in his sombre suit like an old-time revivalist preacher working the crowd at the village hall, arms windmilling, fists pumping, shiny shoes pounding the turf.High above his head an aeroplane appeared, trailing a message across the sky. The message was: “Antonio Conte!” Hallelujah! And indeed, praise be. Related: Chelsea 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur: FA Cup semi-final player ratings Related: Eden Hazard clinches semi-final thriller for Chelsea against Tottenham Continue reading...

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Has José Mourinho reminded Spurs how to beat Chelsea in the Cup at Wembley? | Jonathan Wilson

Mauricio Pochettino enjoyed first success against Chelsea with three central defenders and United’s win will have clarified the Tottenham manager’s thinkingChelsea were poor against Manchester United, very poor. That for the first time in a decade they did not manage a shot on target is damning. And it is true that they have not of late been playing with the relentlessness they did through the final three months of last year. But the idea they were somehow been found out on Sunday seems weirdly exaggerated. The title race may be on again but Chelsea have a lead of four points over Tottenham, whatever psychological pressure Spurs may be able to apply in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.In terms of shape, Chelsea...

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Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea: five talking points from Old Trafford | Jamie Jackson

Mourinho puts one over on Conte, Rashford and Lingard offer United vision of post-Ibrahimovic era and Hazard’s lack of hunger whets Spurs’ appetiteAt times José Mourinho has been cast as a fading force. Not after this. By the end Antonio Conte stood in rain in the technical area looking clueless. Manchester United’s victory derived from Mourinho’s tactical masterclass with the attacking axis of Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford, and Ander Herrera’s man‑marking of Eden Hazard. It is the ideal boost before the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Anderlecht on Thursday, with the tie poised at 1-1. Before this match Mourinho posited there was “no emotion” in meeting his former club despite two previous defeats and the abuse received during...

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Antonio Conte: the making of Chelsea’s managerial maestro | Dominic Fifield

Even big-name players recognise the Italian’s imposition of a huge workload is backed by knowledge gained on and off the pitch Those who have worked under Antonio Conte talk of a moment, discernible in the hours of physical drills or monotonous tactical planning back on the training ground, when the penny drops. It is as if they have all experienced that same flash of realisation, the point when any resentment that has built up at the feverish workload or incessant reminders of on-field duties gives way to acceptance of the Italian’s genius.His players have all felt it, whether they were turning out at Arezzo at the foot of Serie B or Juventus at the pinnacle, for Bari and Atalanta in...

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