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Conte concedes Chelsea 'not in title race' after West Ham shock

Chelsea were shocked 1-0 by West Ham at London stadium on Saturday.

Marko Arnautovic's well-taken early goal, his first for West Ham, proved enough as Adrian - selected in goal ahead of Joe Hart - made excellent saves before half-time from N'Golo Kante and Davide Zappacosta while Alvaro Morata fired a good chance into the side netting in the second period.

Defeat leaves Chelsea 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Blues boss Antonio Conte conceded afterwards: "I think today we lost the game against West Ham and it was very difficult because our start was bad, we conceded the goal and it was difficult to come back.

"I saw their game against Man City, when City attacked for the whole game against 11 defenders but they found a way to score, we created chances but didn't take them and so we are talking about a defeat. Many players were tired which is normal when you play every three days.

"Today our ideas were not so clear and in the final pass we made a lot of mistakes. Despite that we created chances to score but we didn't take them. When you shoot 19 times in a game it means you attacked, but we can do better."

The Italian was also asked what the result meant for their title hopes.

"To speak about the title race after a defeat is a bit strange, especially if this is the fourth defeat of the season, after 16 games. When you have that it's impossible to think you are in the race, my experience tells me if you want to stay in the race in the first part of the season you can lose once or twice.

"After 16 games, if you lose four it means you never got started. We started with a defeat at home to Burnley. We lost another game, against Man City, but we have reasons to justify that. Then when you lose to Crystal Palace, who were bottom, and West Ham, who are in a bad position, you can lose points in these games but it means you are not in the title race."

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