Conte delighted with Chelsea’s dominant festive display

Antonio Conte reflected on a dominant display after Brighton fell to a 2-0 Premier League defeat yesteday.

Alvaro Morata returned from a ban to nod home the opener 40 seconds after halftime before ex-Sunderland loanee Marcos Alonso headed in a Cesc Fabregas’s corner to put the result beyond doubt.

“It was a good performance. We shot 25 times, eight on target with 13 corners and a lot of possession,” Conte said.

“We had many chances to improve the final result, but I saw good intensity and great commitment from the players. It was positive for Alvaro to score because he’s our No 9 and didn’t play against Everton. Also for Alonso to score five goals until now, for a wing back, is a great achievement.”

Manchester City are runaway leaders at the summit of the Premier League – they are 12 points clear of second place – and Conte admitted Chelsea must look beyond the title for inspiration this season.

Harry Kane made history as Tottenham thrashed Southampton 5-2. The England striker set a new record for Premier League goals in a calendar year, with his hat-trick taking him to 39 in 36 appearances in 2017. Dele Alli and Son Heung-min also netted.

Bournemouth and West Ham played out a 3-3 draw, with the Cherries hitting a controversial equaliser in stoppage time.

Watford halted their fourgame losing streak by rallying to beat Leicester 2-1, with Molla Wague and a Kasper Schmeichel own goal doing the damage.