Premier League title a little step closer for Blues
CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte said his side were another little step from the Premier League title after they crushed Middlesbrough 3-0 to move to within touching distance of glory.
Tottenham Hotspur’s surprise defeat at West Ham United last week handed Chelsea the initiative and they can now seal a second title triumph in three years if they win at West Bromwich Albion on Friday.
“We’re very close. We must be honest. But we need to do another little step and win another game,” Conte said after Monday’s match, which condemned Middlesbrough to relegation.
“For sure now I’m a bit relaxed. This step was big for us, a big win.
“Now we need to do another step. We have the possibility to do this on Friday against West Brom.
“We are very close, but we need another step to become champions of the Premier League, which would be a fantastic achievement for us.”
While victory at West Brom will deliver the title, Chelsea also have home games against Watford and Sunderland in which to snare the three points they need to make it across the finish line.
Cesc Fabregas was Chelsea’s match-winner, inventively creating goals for Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic either side of half time at a festive Stamford Bridge.
Marcos Alonso also found the net in the first half.
“Cesc is one of the best examples of our season,” Conte said.
“Because in this season, Cesc at the start didn’t play a lot. And then through hard work, he improved a lot. And then he’s playing in every game.”
Needing victory to stand a realistic chance of preserving their top-flight status, Boro succumbed to a defeat that sent them into the Championship alongside northeast rivals Sunderland.
Conte made a point of saluting Boro’s travelling fans after the game.
“It’s great to see a team that got relegated and to see the fans clapping the players and the players staying there to receive the applause,” the Italian said.
Boro manager Steve Agnew said his team was devastated. – AFP