COMMENT: Jose blanks Hazard. Conte snubs Jose. But there was a third rejection involving Chelsea's manager that really said it all about victory last night over Manchester United.
This was Conte's night. And didn't he lap it up? For the Italian, those double fist pumps at the final whistle, moments after blanking Jose Mourinho, were a release. A clean sheet and a win at home is always the result favoured by Italy's best coaches. But this night meant so, so much more than simply the result.
Winning with David Luiz in the stands will make the headlines. But Conte will be especially pleased that it was Alvaro Morata who proved the matchwinner. The Spaniard was his first choice, not the club's. They wanted Romelu Lukaku, who again flopped against a direct rival.
No such doubts, however, for Conte's No9. A towering, powerful header earning Chelsea the three points. A classic centre-forward's goal. A classic British centre-forward's goal. A throw-back. A goal the heavy legged Lukaku - and his manager - could only imagine emulating. And on the biggest of stages.
Conte will return to Cobham this morning satisfied. But also frustrated. The doubts that persist from the higher ups. The lack of unquestioned support. It continues to gnaw away at the Italian...
Going into the game, Conte laid it all bare. In England, he was alone. His only friend in the Premier League, Claudio Ranieri, had long gone. The stories of falling out with directors. Of complaints from players about his training methods. They were given credence by Conte when making a plea to Roman Abramovich, the Blues owner, 24 hours from kickoff.
“Honestly, I think I earned my time here with the win of last season. I earned my time," he said.
“My truth is this: if someone doesn't agree with me, but I like to tell the truth. I don't want to take time, for what? The situation is very clear. My task is to work and put all myself for this club.
“If it's enough, okay? If it's not enough...then the club decide my future."
Dead man walking? How else could you read such an open, honest statement?
Even for our Italian sources, these words came as a shock. Talk of AC Milan, even the Italy job, Conte could take with a pinch of salt, tap his pals in the local press and figure out the truth. But the reports in the London media were another matter. The locker room leaks. The claims of clashes with staff. It was getting to Conte. He clearly was being undermined.
As an aside, Chelsea fans should recognise - and dismiss - those complaints about Conte's training. After all, Cesc Fabregas effectively poured cold water on the claims when admitting their busy schedule meant there was little opportunity for anything technical through the week.
"This year we are not having that much time because if you play on a Wednesday and a Saturday, what do you do on Thursday? Run? It's impossible," he said just days ago.
But there is an element inside the dressing room which is clearly unhappy. But, just as he proved with Diego Costa over the summer, Conte isn't a manager to indulge egos. He rebuilt Juventus. He took a team from tenth to the title in his first season in England. The Italian isn't one to pander. Why should he?
Last night, as he celebrated with the home support, there were embraces for his players. For Cesar Azpilicueta. For Morata. But, significantly, as they crossed paths, there was barely a nod from Conte for Michael Emenalo, the club's football director.
With Luiz in his civvies. And Lukaku drawing a blank. At the final whistle Conte - passionate and proud - was at his best. And as honest as he was going into the game, he was just as brutal in the aftermath.
Speaking with Sky Italia, he declared "this season, for so many reasons, we've been unable to find the balance of last season" before adding "today there was a great answer. If you want to win you must show determination".
And while batting away the obligatory question about Milan, Conte ended the interview significantly with "it will be an intense season. We will try to fight against everything and everyone".
Which is how Conte has been feeling all campaign. He's having to "fight against everything". The media, the opposition - that's one thing. But this term it's also been certain players and certain directors.
But again, as he proved last night, Conte can still find answers. Abramovich needs to realise, it isn't the manager who has his club stuck in third gear.