Conte says 'we made big mistakes with easy passes' when we played Arsenal in the north London derby.
Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte bemoaned his side’s second-half performance after they were beaten 3-1 at the Emirates stadium.
The Italian coach Conte conceded that it was a difficult game after Spurs went down to 10 men in the second half as referee Anthony Taylor handed Emerson Royal his marching orders on the hour mark for his challenge on Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli.
Midfielder Thomas Partey broke the deadlock with a superb strike in the 20th minute before Harry Kane equalised eleven minutes later.
And, after Emerson was sent off, goals from Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka ensured the awayside suffered their first defeat of the 2022-23 season, leaving Arsenal four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Conte said: "I think the first half was in the balance. We had many chances to score. We made a big mistake with the last pass because we had great space. In the second half, we conceded a second goal early and we could do much better.
"With the red card, [went] the game. It was a really difficult game after that. We had to change totally then. It was the referee’s decision and I don’t want to comment.
"We had the opportunity to exploit much better and stay up and I repeat that I think we made big mistakes in the last pass and with easy passes but it happens and straight after the national team it is a bit difficult because players arrive at a different time.
"Now we have to move on but we know our role in this league and we have to try and do our best to stay close to the other teams at the top. I tried to give minutes to players because the game had ended and also to try and save energy.
"I wanted to give players time especially [Oliver] Skipp and [Matt] Doherty because we need the whole squad because we have many games in front of us in a short period."
England star Eric Dier: 'We can go again.'
Tottenham defender Eric Dier, who had some strong words with the referee after the clash, said his side lacked quality on the day, but insists that they will bounce back from their first defeat of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign.
"They started better in both halves and scored a good goal from outside the box. After that we were much better, got to 1-1 but lacked quality in the final pass,” the England international said.
"Same again in the second half. We didn't start well, conceded a poor goal after the sending off and it was difficult.
"It was 2-1 at that point and they scored straight away again. We couldn't really organise ourselves before they got the third.
"This is the beginning of the season so it is not too much of a big blow. It's disappointing, of course, but we lost here at the start of last season as well and built again and had a good finish. I am sure we can do the same and go again this year."
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