Antonio Conte defended his decision to rouse the Chelsea supporters in the final seconds of Sunday's 4-0 rout of Manchester United, saying that he wanted home fans inside Stamford Bridge to acknowledge their team's most impressive performance of the season.
Goals from Pedro, Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante ruined Jose Mourinho's first appearance at Stamford Bridge since being appointed Manchester United manager in May, with Chelsea taking the lead after just 30 seconds and ruthlessly punishing sloppy defensive mistakes from their visitors.
At the final whistle an agitated Mourinho was captured by TV cameras speaking in Conte's ear in Italian, and reports in Italian media afterwards claimed that the United boss was taking issue with what he perceived as over-celebration from the Chelsea head coach.
Conte insists the purpose of his actions was to get Chelsea supporters to show their appreciation for his players, who he credited with producing an "important" reaction after comprehensive defeats to top-four rivals Liverpool and Arsenal earlier this season.
"I was listening to the supporters of Man United during the game always supporting their team," Conte told Sky Sports.
"In one moment of great silence and after a great performance like this, I asked my supporters to do a great clap for the players. I think this is normal and today you see all the players deserved it."
Asked in his postmatch media conference what Mourinho had said to him, Conte replied: "I think a private conversation must remain private. If someone discovers something, OK, but for me the conversation will remain private."
Questioned on whether he had any regrets about his celebration, Conte added: "No. If we want to cut the emotion [from football], I go home and change my job."
Chelsea's win lifts them into fourth place in the Premier League, only one point behind leaders Manchester City, and after the match Conte praised his team for their reaction to high-profile losses to Liverpool and Arsenal in recent weeks.
"I'm pleased for a great performance," he added. "We started well with a high intensity to move the ball very quickly, and also to create chances to score the goal. I'm pleased for this game, above all for the players.
"They deserved this because I see every day, every week, every month, the commitment during the training sessions.
"I think we're improving. We must continue to work because only through work we can improve, game by game. We know we have a long way to go but I'm satisfied for them because during the training sessions you work a lot.
"It's very important because after two defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal, two great teams, it was important to us also to understand our ambition. Now this game is the past; we must think there is another game on Wednesday against West Ham and we must prepare very well, because it will be tough."
Latest Stories
- Ghanaians must protect gains made under constitutional rule – NCCE Director
21 mins - Adom FM launches ‘Dad Too Can Cook’ event ahead of Father’s Day celebration
26 mins - SIM card deactivation: Affected persons have the opportunity to re-register – Ken Ashigbey
43 mins - Music royalties at risk as GHAMRO’s operating license is withheld
60 mins - You’ll have access to your MoMo after restoration – Ken Ashigbey assures ‘blocked’ mobile users
1 hour - We’ve received over ¢119m in 3 years from Common Fund – NYA provides partial information to JoySports
2 hours - Rejoinder: Supreme Court dismisses land ownership claim by Teshie family
2 hours - Former DCE of Akatsi passes on
2 hours - Ghana defender Patric Pfeiffer signs for Augsburg until 2027
2 hours - Let’s work together for peace in Bawku – VP Bawumia
2 hours - SIM card deactivation: Affected persons throng service centres to secure cards
2 hours - How changes in the small-scale mining sector are impacting the environment
2 hours - Deputy Finance Minister pleads with Pensioner Bondholders to suspend picketing
2 hours - Joy Clean Ghana: Two arrested for breaching sanitation by-laws
3 hours - Domelevo’s forced leave: You didn’t listen to good counsel – Prof Gyampo tells Akufo-Addo
3 hours