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Pat Nevin: Antonio Conte proved he was very Italian with Chelsea change against Tottenham
PAT NEVIN has credited Antonio Conte for bringing on Branislav Ivanovic for Chelsea against Tottenham.
Antonio Conte - 5 things you need to know
After falling behind to an early Christian Eriksen strike, Chelsea hit back through Pedro and Victor Moses to win 2-1 and take all three points.
The Blues played with more pace and guile in the second half to secure their seventh successive Premier League win.
Ivanovic has been overlooked by Antonio Conte ever since he switched to a 3-4-3 system.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte enjoyed his seventh successive win in the Premier League
Branislav Ivanovic was given a brief run-out against Tottenham
But the Italian tactician brought on the Serbian for match winner Moses in the 81st minute.
And former Chelsea midfielder Nevin thinks that decision by Conte to utilise defender Ivanovic as a midfielder was a great way to close out the game.
“The introduction of Branislav Ivanovic near the end while dropping Alonso deeper to make it a monumental-looking back five, is a pretty chilling sight for any forward,” Nevin told the club’s official website.
Branislav Ivanovic came on for Chelsea's match-winner Victor Moses
“Not many goals will be scored against those personnel and that formation, with two sitting midfielders in front of it and Thibaut Courtois behind!
“It looked like an almighty door being slammed shut on Tottenham’s ambitions when the boss made that move, and very Italian.”
Table toppers Chelsea take on title rivals Manchester City on Saturday (12:30pm).
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