Antonio Conte admits Chelsea could struggle to finish in top four after shock home defeat by Bournemouth

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Antonio Conte confessed he feared sliding out of the top-four and missing the Champions League after Chelsea were crushed by Bournemouth.

'We must be worried,' fumed Conte. 'It won't be easy and we must be prepared to fight and ready to do this.

'I am ready and I think the players are starting to understand that this season, we have to struggle for a position in the Champions League.

Antonio Conte cannot bear to watch as Chelsea succumb to a shock defeat on Wednesday

Thibaut Courtois looks dejected as former Chelsea star Nathan Ake runs to celebrate third goal

'They know the danger and they understand our situation.

'Their commitment and their behaviour is great and if they hadn't done that, our place in the table would be worse.'

Callum Wilson, Junior Stanislas and Nathan Ake scored Bournemouth's goals in a 16-minute spell at the start of the second half and the champions slipped into fourth.

'If we want to dream I can tell you now we can fight to win the title this season,' said Conte. 'But it is important to look at the reality and know that if we reach a place in the Champions League it will be a great success for us.' 

New signing Ross Barkley and his Chelsea team-mates look dejected after going 1-0 down

Callum Wilson slots the ball past Thibaut Courtois clinically after evading the Chelsea defence