CHELSEA IS NOW CONFIDENT

The man in charge of the managerial job in Stamford Bridge Antonio Conte praised his team for delivering a “perfect game” as they defeated Southampton 2-0 on Sunday.

A goal each in the two halves from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa respectively secured the Blues their fourth win and a clean sheet in as many games in the Premier League and moved them to a point difference compared with the table leaders, Manchester City.

The Italian coach was happy with another strong defensive showing and a brilliant finish in attack and believes that confidence at Stamford Bridge will only continue to rise after such a display.

“This is the fourth consecutive match we would win without conceding a goal. We are now confident. The confidence increases. We can continue to work very hard,” he told BBC Sport. “When you see this type of game and commitment from your players, it’s fantastic for a coach.

“We are aware it was a test against a strong side in good shape and form. It is vital to win games like this. But that is the past and which cannot be reversed, we must focus on the next match against a good team like Everton. But there is great satisfaction at the result and performance.”

The former Italy coach said further that his gallant men in blue created many chances and what can be called a perfect game is when strikers score and defenders don’t concede. He believes the players deserved this result compared to how vigorous they work hard in training.

Chelsea’s winning run has led them to 22 points in 10 matches, twice the number they managed in the same period under the former coach Jose Mourinho last season. Conte, however, maintains that talk of a title challenge would be premature and insists that his side can still improve.