Antonio Conte: 'I asked my supporters to do a great clap for the players'

Antonio Conte defended his decision to rouse the Chelsea supporters in the final seconds of Sunday's 4-0 rout of Manchester United, saying that he wanted home fans inside Stamford Bridge to acknowledge their team's most impressive performance of the season.

Goals from Pedro, Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante ruined Jose Mourinho's first appearance at Stamford Bridge since being appointed Manchester United manager in May, with Chelsea taking the lead after just 30 seconds and ruthlessly punishing sloppy defensive mistakes from their visitors.

At the final whistle an agitated Mourinho was captured by TV cameras speaking in Conte's ear in Italian, and reports in Italian media afterwards claimed that the United boss was taking issue with what he perceived as over-celebration from the Chelsea head coach.

Conte insists the purpose of his actions was to get Chelsea supporters to show their appreciation for his players, who he credited with producing an "important" reaction after comprehensive defeats to top-four rivals Liverpool and Arsenal earlier this season.

"I was listening to the supporters of Man United during the game always supporting their team," Conte told Sky Sports.

"In one moment of great silence and after a great performance like this, I asked my supporters to do a great clap for the players. I think this is normal and today you see all the players deserved it."

Asked in his postmatch media conference what Mourinho had said to him, Conte replied: "I think a private conversation must remain private. If someone discovers something, OK, but for me the conversation will remain private."

Questioned on whether he had any regrets about his celebration, Conte added: "No. If we want to cut the emotion [from football], I go home and change my job."

Chelsea's win lifts them into fourth place in the Premier League, only one point behind leaders Manchester City, and after the match Conte praised his team for their reaction to high-profile losses to Liverpool and Arsenal in recent weeks.

"I'm pleased for a great performance," he added. "We started well with a high intensity to move the ball very quickly, and also to create chances to score the goal. I'm pleased for this game, above all for the players.

"They deserved this because I see every day, every week, every month, the commitment during the training sessions.

"I think we're improving. We must continue to work because only through work we can improve, game by game. We know we have a long way to go but I'm satisfied for them because during the training sessions you work a lot.

"It's very important because after two defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal, two great teams, it was important to us also to understand our ambition. Now this game is the past; we must think there is another game on Wednesday against West Ham and we must prepare very well, because it will be tough."