Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has suggested that he set his side out in damage limitation mode during this evening's Premier League clash with Manchester City.
The champions met the champions-elect at the Etihad Stadium in a match which saw Chelsea surrender the lion's share of possession before being undone by a Bernardo Silva goal early in the second half.
Conte admitted that his main target at that stage was to stay in the game, but the visitors could not find an equaliser - or even register a shot on target - as Man City took another step towards the Premier League title.
"The effort was an important effort by the players but despite this we conceded a goal after 30 seconds in the second half and after that it was difficult to come back. We played against a team with fantastic quality. They have a great mentality and we must give the best compliment for Manchester City," he told BBC Sport.
"When you play against City you have to try not to concede space between the lines and space on the pitch because they are incredible on the ball. If we did not concede a goal after 30 seconds maybe it could have been more simple.
"We tried to have patience. When you are 1-0 down you can always have the possibility to score. When you concede the space to Manchester City there is the risk for the game to finish three or 4-0.
"When you play against a team that has shown to be stronger than you for a lot of the season - because 25 points is a big difference - you have to think with your brain and not your head because otherwise you finish with a bad loss and that's not good for the players."
The result leaves Chelsea still fifth in the table and now five points adrift of the Champions League places.
Barney Corkhill
