Antonio Conte laughs off suggestion of Chelsea points deduction



Diego Costa's fifth goal in six games guided the Blues to a ninth-straight Premier League win on Sunday, a hard-fought 1-0 victory over West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

According to reports Chelsea could become the first Premier League club to be docked points due to indiscipline since Arsenal and Manchester United in 1990.

Chelsea are in the dock for their part in the mass brawl towards the end of their 3-1 win at Manchester City on December 3 - but Blues boss Conte has entirely rejected the notion of a points deduction.

"Are you joking? Are you joking?" asked Conte when quizzed on the prospect of Chelsea being docked Premier League points.

Sergio Aguero's horror tackle on David Luiz sparked ugly scenes at the Etihad, with the Argentina striker and Fernandinho both sent off.

Both Manchester City and Chelsea were charged with failing to control their players

It was the Blues' fifth such charge in 19 months and could now see the Football Association impose a points deduction.

Chelsea were most recently fined for failing to control their players following the ill-tempered London derby with Tottenham at the end of last term.

Reports have now indicated the Blues were then issued a warning in writing that any further breaches of discipline could lead to the club losing league points.

An unfazed Conte dismissed the notion though, claiming Chelsea are a cleaner side than in the past.

"For me, if you are involved in a situation and the fault is not your one, you must pay? Why? I don't understand this," said Conte.

"We are trying to improve in all aspects, also (in) this (area)

For this reason, I reply: you must be joking

You must be honest and understand which team is at fault.

"We had a bad record in the past, but now we are different."

Costa grabbed his 12th Premier League goal this term by mugging Gareth McAuley and blasting past the helpless Ben Foster.

Chelsea can now chase down their club-record Premier League winning streak of 11, with Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Stoke to come this month.

Arsenal boast the all-time Premier League winning run with 13, but Conte has remained unmoved by the Blues' tilt at rewriting the history books.

"I'm not interested in the record," said Conte, with Chelsea topping the table.

"I'm interested in gaining three points in every game."

West Brom boss Tony Pulis insisted his side's dogged performance pointed to a positive season ahead.

"The goal's disappointing because Gareth should have dealt with it," said Pulis of McAuley's mistake.

"I have no qualms about how hard they worked

Hopefully that honesty will set us up to achieve something in the rest of the season."

Source : PA

Source: PA