Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has labelled Mauricio Pochettino "one of the best managers" ahead of the visit of his Tottenham side to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Spurs are unbeaten in the league so far this season under the Argentinian, but now face a Chelsea side who have won their last six games without conceding a goal. Having scored 17 goals over those games and risen to the top of the Premier League, the visitors' test will be made even tougher - especially consideringSpurs haven'twon at Stamford Bridge since 1990.
Conte said ahead of the game, according toSky Sports:"I don't like the stats, because the stats are old. You have to live the moment.
"Now, if you speak about our unbeaten run, I can reply that in this championship Tottenham are unbeaten. It's important to focus on the present. The present now is more important than the past."
Conte: 'The last game was a bad result for Tottenham but tomorrow is another one and this is a special derby. It will be a great game.'
The last clash between the teams came at the back end of last season, when Chelsea handed Leicester City the title by drawing 2-2 with Spurs. It was an ugly affair - with 12 yellow cards shown on the day - but Conte wants his side to show their control this time around.
He said:"It's right to show your passion, but in the right way, not in a bad way. I want my players to play with great intensity, with great passion, but always in the right way.
"You don't lose a championship in one game. In my experience you lose or win a championship over many games. Precisely 38. I always told that to my players. Don't find an excuse and fight, because you lose or you win for 38 league games, not for one game."
Speaking on his opposite number, according to theTelegraph,he said:"I consider Mauricio one of the best managers. And yes, I tell him thank you again because I had the possibility to visit the training ground and speak with him, to see their training session.
"I remember that day with great emotion because we spoke a lot about football. This was the first time I'd met him.My visit was at West Ham three days, and Tottenham and Chelsea. It was a fantastic work trip.
"I spoke with different managers: with Sam Allardyce, with Pochettino and Jose Mourinho here. And it was fantastic because when I have the possibility to compare my ideas and my work with the work of the others, it's a moment where I can learn a lot."
Follow @_scottsaunders on Twitter!
Scott's also participating in Movember this month, where he'll attempt to grow a mean moustache to raise money for men's health. Visit and http://mobro.co/fanvoice to donate.