CONTE: NOW LET’S TAKE FINAL STEP

CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte last night challenged his players to finish the job after they moved to the brink of Premier League glory. The Blues powered past Middlesbrough — condemning them to relegation — and moved within touching distance of regaining the title. Victory over West Brom on Friday will clinch Chelsea’s fifth title in the Premier League era. And Conte said: ‘ This was a big step for us. My message is now that we need to take another step. ‘On Friday we have a good chance to finish this league, to become champions. But it won’t be easy. We have three matches to exploit to become champions. ‘ We are very close. But we need to take another step to become champions, a fantastic achievement for us. ‘There is pressure, but it’s a good pressure, a pressure which brings excitement in our hearts because the target is very close. We must have enthusiasm to reach our target. My players deserve to win the league.’ Cesc Fabregas produced a midfield masterclass, making two of Chelsea’s three goals against Middlesbrough. ‘Hopefully on Friday we can make it happen,’ said Fabregas. ‘I have experienced winning titles and the quicker the better. We will not wait. If we can make it happen on Friday, we will get it done. Then we can focus on the FA Cup.

‘We knew what we had to do. It was a tough game and to win a title is not easy. A title in England is maybe the hardest to win. It’s not done yet but we’ve been the best team throughout the season.’

Boro join their North East rivals Sunderland in the Championship and manager Steve Agnew said: ‘Everyone is devastated. We worked so hard to get back into the Premier League and we’ve pulled up short.

‘I’ve left a silent dressing room with everyone, staff and players, absolutely gutted. We can only reflect on the 36 games we’ve played. We’ve not won enough games or scored enough goals.’

Boro skipper Ben Gibson added: ‘ It’s not just tonight, it’s a full season. From top to bottom, we haven’t been good enough.

‘It is the lowest point of my career. In fact it’s the lowest point of my life. It means that much. We’ve got to put it right.

‘The fans haven’t stopped singing. Wherever we’ve been this season, they’ve been the same.

‘The fans deserve Premier League football and we have to find a team to do that. We have to reflect on what’s gone wrong.’