Batshuayi is Blues hero

CHELSEA boss Antonio Conte savoured the thrill of capturing the Premier League title in his debut season in English football after Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner. And the Italian immediately challenged his players to turn it into a Double, saying: ‘It has been a great season. But to be a fantastic season we have to win the FA Cup.’ Batshuayi fired the only goal

of the game in the 82nd minute as Chelsea triumphed at West Brom to secure the prize with two games to spare. They have 87 points, ten clear of Tottenham who face Manchester United tomorrow, and will take on Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley in two weeks. ‘This is for my players,’ added Conte. ‘I have to say thanks for their commitment, attitude and passion — and their will to do something great this season. We fought a lot to win this title.’ Much of the credit will go to Conte after defeat at Arsenal in September left his side trailing Manchester City by eight points. He changed tactics, adopted a back three and his team haven’t looked back. ‘That decision changed our season,’ he said. ‘In my mind, there was this option to play a 3-4-3 because I knew I had the players to do so. ‘We were not lucky, we did a great job. It’s important to rest. We can win the FA Cup.’ The goal which clinched the title came from one of his brave substitutions when West Brom looked set to delay celebrations. Off came Eden Hazard and Pedro and on went Willian and Batshuayi, the Belgian striker who had barely made an impression since his £34million signing last summer. ‘Everybody is happy,’ said Batshuayi. ‘This is the best moment in my footballing life.’ Chelsea’s players celebrated on the pitch in front of nearly 3,000 travelling fans, singing and dancing and throwing club captain John Terry in the air. Albion boss Tony Pulis said: ‘We didn’t want them coming here and rolling us over. They deserve the title. It’s disappointing they’ve done it at our place.’