Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has defended the use of his tactics in his side's defeat at league-leaders Manchester City.

Bernardo Silva has scored two goals in his last two Premier League games for Manchester City, as many as he managed in his first 25 for the club

The Blues produced a surprisingly negative display and failed to have a shot on target in the match as Bernardo Silva's goal less than a minute into the second half sealed the game and pushed Manchester City closer to the Premier League title.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville called Chelsea's display "absolutely unacceptable" and accused Conte's players of being "mannequins", while colleague Jamie Redknapp called their approach "anti-football" and "a crime against football".

Conte responded: "I think in this moment you have to accept every critic, but I am not so stupid to play against Manchester City open and to lose 3-0 or 4-0.

"If I remember well, a few days ago, Arsenal played twice against them and then you criticise a lot (Arsenal manager Arsene) Wenger because they concede three goals in only 30 minutes.

"I think that the pundit has to use the head to understand when you speak about tactics because I think that you must have knowledge to speak about tactics and not only to speak in a stupid way."

When asked if Chelsea could have been more ambitious in their play, striker Olivier Giroud, who came on as substitute, said: "It is a good question. The coach made his tactics. We tried to respect it."

Pep Guardiola's side were forced to bide their time before making the breakthrough on Sunday and it came when Bernardo Silva stole in ahead of Marcos Alonso from David Silva's cross to beat Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and give City a mammoth 18-point lead at the top of the table.

Chelsea did not register a single shot on target, leaving Manchester City keeper Ederson a virtual bystander as he was even able to watch Alonso's timid shot drift wide with seconds left.

It was a disappointing day for Chelsea and manager Conte - and of even greater concern is that they are now five points adrift of Tottenham in fourth place in the race for spots in next season's Champions League.

Manchester City's season has been characterised by regular flourishes that will make them worthy Premier League champions when the formalities are finally concluded.

Here, against a Chelsea side surprisingly devoid of ambition, Pep Guardiola's champions-elect were forced to show patience rather than the dazzling brilliance they have demonstrated on so many occasions.

Chelsea's massed ranks formed a blue wall of defensive defiance, organised and well-drilled, leaving City to enjoy almost total possession and search for any gaps in the barricade assembled by Antonio Conte.

City, in the manner of champions, played the waiting game, almost unlocking Chelsea when Leroy Sane's touch and control created an opening, only for Cesar Azpilicueta to scramble his shot off the line.

It was a day for attrition as opposed to artistry and City confirmed they have both sides to their character, punishing Chelsea for a slow start to the second half, Sergio Aguero playing in David Silva, whose cross was met by his namesake Bernardo at the far post.

In driving rain, and with Chelsea mysteriously refusing to take off the handbrake, they were able to close out a victory that will, in its own way, have brought as much pleasure to Guardiola as many of the more spectacular wins this season.

It was an indication of how they had to keep their head and be patient that they played a total of 902 passes, more than any other team has managed in a Premier League game since 2003/04.

City, with a performance that showed their adaptability, edged nearer to the title.

Chelsea pay for cautious approach

Chelsea manager Conte could hardly have been expected to adopt a gung-ho approach to this visit to Manchester City - but his side's negative style became increasingly bewildering as the game went on.

It was understandable when the mission was clearly to frustrate City and for 45 minutes it delivered a measure of success as Guardiola's side were restricted - it was after they conceded a goal that matters became confusing.

Chelsea still refused to offer up any sign of ambition and even when they did attacks fizzled out tamely, with some ironic cheers from the visiting fans when they won a corner late on and also when Alonso's timid shot drifted wide in stoppage time.

Olivier Giroud only appeared as a substitute with 13 minutes left while Alvaro Morata's introduction came with seconds to go at the expense of Eden Hazard.

It was all a far cry from the Chelsea side that showed such ambition and drive to turn a half-time deficit around to win here en route to becoming Premier League champions last season.

Chelsea's tactics could be regarded as a compliment to Manchester City - but they are also a reflection of their own decline this season and how their sights appear to have altered.

In the end it was to no avail - leaving them with an uphill task to qualify for the top four.