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Chelsea Muster Up Excuse For Manchester United Defeat

Chelsea Muster Up Excuse For Manchester United Defeat

Excuse?

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Antonio Conte was dealt a massive blow ahead of the Jose Mourinho derby as not one but TWO key players withdrew prior to kick-off.

The main man between the sticks Thibaut Courtois was injured during a NBA promotional shoot.

Yes, seriously.

Conte would've been pulling his hair out at that news, not to mention Marcos Alonso also unable to operate from the wing-back position.

Manchester United ultimately inflicted Chelsea with another Premier League defeat following their surprising loss to Crystal Palace at home.

But The Guardian are suggesting that the Chelsea camp were battling with a virus leading up to the Super Sunday fixture.


Before being passed fit, Alonso was suffering from an illness as well as Diego Costa and Victor Moses.

The trio of players missed training on Friday due to the bug but all managed to eventually line-up on Sunday, other than the last minute withdrawal of the Spanish defender.

As a result, Conte re-jigged the line drafting in Kurt Zouma though Chelsea failed to adapt, eventually losing 2-0.

(Costa remonstrates with referee Robert Madley. Image: PA)

Other than dueling with Marcos Rojo, Costa was out of sorts while Moses was subbed off for Cesc Fabregas minutes after the break.

Next up for Conte's charges are Spurs. Just a shame it isn't a league encounter. A FA Cup final spot is up for grabs when they meet on Saturday afternoon.

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Topics: Chelsea, Manchester United, Premier League