Double shift for Chelsea

season, so Conte’s achievement in turning his team into title favourites in his first campaign in English football is a remarkable one – and he insists he has only just started. “We must be proud of what we have done – the players, the club, myself. It has not been easy to reach the FA Cup final and this point in the league, where we must fight until the end for the title,” he said. “But we reached this target only through our work. Work, work, work. It’s very important for me and the players for the future to understand that without work, it’s very difficult to have this.

“This week is crucial for us. We reached the FA Cup final – a very important target in England – and now we play Southampton, then another tough game against Everton.

“We started it very well and I hope to continue it in this way.”

With Spurs playing Crystal Palace tomorrow, Chelsea can extend their lead at the top to seven points again if they beat Claude Puel’s Saints and put further pressure on their rivals. But Conte warned: “We have to start by winning and then wait for the result of Tottenham’s game. The most important thing is to win.”

Midfielder N’Golo Kante picked up the PFA Player of the Year award on Sunday after an outstanding campaign.

The Frenchman, who could win the title in successive seasons for different clubs after starring last term for Leicester, has been a superb signing but Conte does not yet see him as a captain.

“N’Golo is a silent leader,” he said. “He leads by example, but he is young. When you arrive at a great team like Chelsea and it’s your first season, it’s very difficult to speak and lead.

“He leads with good examples. He’s not the type of player who likes to speak out. He’s not John Terry in terms of his personality. But these two seasons, and his award, will bring a lot of confidence.”

Defender Cesar Azpilicueta revealed his team’s winning mentality, exhibited once again against Spurs, was something drilled into new players when they arrived.

He said: “We have the experience of winning trophies nearly every year. This is something you cannot buy. It’s something you earn.

“We have an amazing dressing room with players who have won a lot but are still hungry. We always look for more. We help the new players who come understand the standards and show them what it is to be in this club and fighting for trophies.”

Conte will have defender Gary Cahill back tonight after illness, and Hazard and Costa are set to start.