Conte blasts ‘selfish’ Tottenham after draw at Southampton

Antonio Conte has criticized Tottenham’s players, ownership and winning mentality after they conceded a last-gasp penalty kick to draw 3-3 at Premier League strugglers Southampton on Saturday.

Spurs went 3-1 up with 15 minutes remaining, but Southampton secured a stunning late comeback with goals from Theo Walcott and a stoppage-time penalty from James Ward-Prowse.

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The result keeps Spurs in fourth place in the table, but has played two more games than Newcastle United and Liverpool.

After the game, Conte hit out at the players for the way they have failed to perform throughout the campaign in all competitions.

“I’m really shocked because it’s not the first time and I think today I can tell you that it’s shocking because we won 3-1 and 15 minutes before the game and I think you have to win,” Conte told the BBC. Sport.

“Instead, we showed this for the second time, things started to improve last season, but we lost the quality of last season. I don’t want to talk from a technical point of view, the spirit is missing.

“We’re not a team. We’re a team that everyone thinks about themselves. When you’re like that, which can happen, you lose to Sheffield United and you’re out with the FA Cup and AC Milan and you end that run. You win 3-1 and the last 15 you can give them a chance to come back .I don’t see the players’ sense of responsibility.

“Now it’s difficult – we’re working hard with this group and we’re moving in the right direction. We’re going behind, I see a lot of negative situations and a lot of selfish situations and players I don’t like. I know how to beat teams, I used to beat a lot of teams, I beat teams.

“Now instead we fall behind, nobody cares about this. I’m very frustrated by this because me and the staff are left every day thinking of a way to improve. Honestly, it’s time for me to take responsibility for myself, the staff, the club, but also the players.”

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Conte also appeared to aim to dig into the club’s ownership.

“They’re used to it here. Don’t play for an important cause. They don’t want to play under pressure. They don’t want to play under stress.

“Tottenham’s story is this. The owner is 20 years and they never won anything. Why? The fault is only in the club or every manager who stays here. I have seen the managers that Tottenham were on the bench.

“It’s time to change this situation, if Tottenham want to change. If they want to continue like this, they can change managers, many managers, but the situation cannot change. Believe me.”

Spurs also have a major injury concern after a tearful Richarlison was forced off inside the first five minutes.

Conte’s side face Everton after the international break on April 5.