Antonio Conte's half-time message helped inspire Chelsea turnaround against Tottenham, insists Pedro

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Sam Long27 November 2016

Antonio Conte's desire for Chelsea to be more aggressive was key to the Blues' improved second half display in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Tottenham, according to Pedro.

The visitors were the better side for the majority of the first half in yesterday's clash at Stamford Bridge and took the lead through Christian Eriksen's superb strike.

Pedro replied on the stroke of the interval with an excellent effort of his own and the tide soon turned as Chelsea returned from the break with the bit between their teeth.

The hosts began to control proceedings and Victor Moses fired home the winner as Chelsea maintained their lead at the top of the table with Conte's message at half time crucial to his team's turnaround.

"He told us to press high and concentrate between the lines," Pedro told the club's official website.

"He told us to mark more aggressively and that was the most important thing. It was a good game for us and the supporters.

"It was a very difficult game for us but we’re really happy with the win and we want to continue in the right way."

Chelsea had not conceded in six consecutive games before Eriksen beat Thibaut Courtois.

But Gary Cahill is adamant the Blues were comfortable in the second half after making the changes Conte demanded which helped to restrict Dele Alli's influence on the game.

"We felt we were losing a lot of duels and second balls all over the pitch, the scrappy part of the game," the England international said.

"Tottenham were on top in that so we needed to make sure we tied that up in the second half.

"We dropped into our formation, got to grips with Dele Alli and in the second half we were reasonably comfortable."

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