Antonio Conte has the backing of his Chelsea bosses despite the Halloween Horror in Rome.

But now he needs all his experience to keep the Blues title chances alive this weekend.

Beat Manchester United on Sunday and stay in the title race. Lose at Stamford Bridge to his nemesis Jose Mourinho and kiss it goodbye.

Conte’s stock at Stamford Bridge remains high, with sympathy upstairs for the injuries and setbacks that have played havoc with the club’s campaign.

N’golo Kante has been out for three weeks, that Victor Moses remains on the sidelines, that Danny Drinkwater - signed from Leicester in August - was injured until last month and nowhere near ready to give his best in the big matches.

Conte cuts a dejected figure (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
Chelsea's players look dejected (
Image:
REUTERS)

Eden Hazard had ankle surgery during the summer. Alvaro Morata picked up a hamstring jury against City. Pedro had a fractured cheekbone during pre-season. Gary Cahill has been suspended. Tiemoue Bakayoko is still adapting to the Premier League. So too Antonio Rudiger.

The club will back him with more reinforcements in January, with a renewed move for Juventus wing-back Alex Sandro likely.

But in the meantime they are need once again of their manager’s Midas Touch.

Thibaut Courtois’s saves from Stephan El Sharaawy and substitute Kostas Manolas stopped the 3-0 Roma defeat turning into a Champions League annihilation.

Video Loading
Chelsea were thrashed by Roma in the Champions League (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
Courtois applauds the Chelsea support (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

With United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday the Belgian keeper admits: “City are nine points ahead of us, United four, Tottenham just one.” he said.

“So if you want this game is a must-win game to remain at the top and remain close to the other teams.

“We will try to get the three points at home and we will give our lives for it on Sunday.”

poll loading

Will Chelsea still qualify from their Champions League group?

8000+ VOTES SO FAR