Tottenham must feel the blood of their opponents in order to improve, says Antonio Conte.
Spurs played out a thrilling, full-blooded 2-2 draw with London rivals Chelsea on Sunday, with the visitors twice coming from behind at Stamford Bridge.
Harry Kane s stoppage-time equaliser was overshadowed by a touchline fracas at full time, with both Conte and his Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel sent off.
Conte and Tuchel had both previously been booked, and the Spurs boss seemed to have taken issue with how Tuchel shook his hand after the final whistle.
While hopeful he will be allowed to take to the touchline for Tottenham s meeting with Wolves on Saturday, Conte has no regrets about the fierce nature of his side s display against his old club Chelsea.
Indeed, the former Inter coach wants to see more of it.
Nasty? It s a step that I continue to ask to my players, Conte said.
We did a little step forward, but we need to compete this because to be nasty is very important.
You have to feel the blood of your opponents. You need to win.
15 Only Liverpool (19) have picked up more points from losing positions in the Premier League than Tottenham since Antonio Conte s first game in charge in November (15). Character.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
One example of that aggression possibly boiling over came when Cristian Romero clearly pulled the hair of Chelsea s new signing Marc Cucurella while the pair competed at a set-piece.
Fortunately for Spurs, referee Anthony Taylor and the VAR failed to punish the infringement.
I speak a lot with him, Conte said of Romero, who will miss the Wolves game through injury.
He s really strong physically and has no fear. He has to be really focused to understand the situation. But I speak a lot with him, we have to be strong in the right way.
Tottenham have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League games (W9 D3), having lost five of their eight before this run.
They look well set to continue that strong form, given Wolves are winless in their last nine Premier League matches. However, since they were promoted back to the top tier in 2018, at no side have they won more away league games than they have against Spurs (three).