Conte plays down importance of United clash

Chelsea manager believes three points are all that matter as he takes his side to Old Trafford

BENGALURU:  

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte refused to give extra significance to Sunday's Premier League clash at Manchester United, saying his team were just focused on picking up another three points to maintain their lead at the top.

Conte reckons the title race will continue right until the end of the season,, especially with North London side Tottenham impressing in recent weeks. "I think this game is like any other game and for us the most important thing is the three points," the Italian manager told a news conference on Friday. "This [title] was our target at the start of the season... For sure the road is long and there are other teams who want to win the title and I think for this reason it will be until the end of the season."

United manager Jose Mourinho will field a strong side this weekend despite the game being sandwiched between the two-legged Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht.

Fifth-placed United are four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, with a game in hand, and need to finish in the top four or win the Europa League to make the Champions League.

"For sure we will face a really strong team because Manchester United are a really good team, physically and technically very strong, and for this reason we must pay great attention," added Conte. "United also want to play and find a place in next season's Champions League and arrive in the first four and I think they have every possibility to do this."

United are on a 21-game unbeaten league run since losing 4-0 in October at Chelsea, who have the best away record in the league, having lost just twice in 16 games this season.

Mourinho will be especially keen on making up for that defeat as his first return to his old stomping ground Stamford Bridge ended in humiliation.

Costa relishing Hazard partnership at Chelsea

Chelsea striker Diego Costa is enjoying his "beautiful" partnership with playmaker Eden Hazard and hopes he could play with the Belgian for a long time.

Hazard and Costa have been crucial to Chelsea's Premier League title challenge, scoring 14 and 17 league goals respectively.

"Playing with Eden is something beautiful. You're playing on the field and at the same time enjoying what he does because he is a top player," Costa told British media. "At every moment I know when he is going to pass the ball to me and I also know when he wants the ball from me to complete the move."

Hazard has been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award and media reports have linked both players to transfers away from Chelsea at the end of the season. "He's a boy that impresses me every day, he has a huge potential. He is a beautiful person, a humble guy," said Costa. "We get on really well while playing and I hope we stay together like this for a very long time."