Chelsea's failure to kill games could cost club Champions League spot, says Antonio Conte

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30 April 2018

Antonio Conte admits Chelsea must be more ruthless if they are to play in the Champions League next season.

Last year’s Premier League winners have revived their hopes of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition with three successive victories to close the gap on Liverpool and Tottenham, who are third and fourth respectively.

But Chelsea’s goal difference of +26 is inferior to their rivals’, with Spurs on +35 and Liverpool +43.

At this stage of the season, that advantage is effectively worth an extra point.

Chelsea boss Conte said: “Our first problem this season is that we have not been so clinical. If you want to win, you have to score. If you don’t take your chances, the result stays in the balance until the end.

“This season we have dropped many points.

“I remember, for example, our most recent game against West Ham, we dropped two points of vital importance for us. We were winning the game and we created a lot of chances to score but we kept the result at only 1-0 and at the end they scored and drew.”

Chelsea have three games remaining this season, while Liverpool have two and Tottenham — who face Watford at Wembley on Monday — four.

Their match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday is, therefore, potentially decisive for their European hopes.

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