Chelsea boss Antonio Conte disappointed at having to stop for international break after 5-0 Everton thrashing
Conte says he wants to continue working with his players following an outstanding performance at Stamford Bridge
ANTONIO CONTE has praised Chelsea's players for their fantastic display against Everton.
The Blues beat the Toffees 5-0 and the Italian was impressed with every aspect of their performance.
Conte said: "I’m pleased because when you win this way it's fantastic.
"I think we played good football with a good intensity and all the players played the right way. With the ball, without the ball, we created many chances to score.
"It’s also the fifth [consecutive] clean sheet, which is fantastic. In the past you would think it's incredible to reach this result."
The only negative for Conte is that he has to release his players for the international break next week.
He said: "It’s a pity we have to stop for the international break because I want to continue."
Eden Hazard scored twice today and Conte said he put in a complete performance.
He added that Hazard must continue playing the same way without the ball, saying: "He played an impressive game, we all know his talent.
"Also I see that he’s working a lot for the team and I think that the team-mates are very happy for this.
"He’s a complete player when he plays this way, with the ball and without the ball. He must continue because he has great talent and is showing this every game.
"Today it’s very difficult to speak well of one player because all the players played very well."
The 5-0 win meant Chelsea went top of the league, above Man City on goal difference, but Conte wasn't getting carried away.
With rivals Arsenal and Liverpool both able to overtake his side tomorrow, he said: "We are pleased [to be top].
"It’s fantastic today, because tomorrow Liverpool, Arsenal, I guess Tottenham will play. And today it was very important to play and win, and we did."
Two weeks ago, Conte looked wound up as Chelsea's fans were outsung by the travelling Man United supporters despite his side's 4-0 lead.
But today he was much happier with the efforts of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
His physical coach told him his name was reverberating around the ground and Conte said: "It was fantastic. I must be honest.
"I didn't recognise that our supporters were singing my name. But our physical coach told me they were singing for me. And I say 'thanks' and it's very important they continue to support me and the team."
Everton boss Ronald Koeman laid into his team, but was also extremely impressed by the attitude of the Chelsea players.
"They showed us how you need to press, how you need the quality on the ball, the mentality to win the game, that was the difference.
"They played very good football but I expect more from my team. It was a big difference in every aspect of football."
He labelled the 5-0 scoreline, Everton's worst defeat in 7 years, 'a high score, but totally deserved'.
And he said Chelsea have every chance of winning the title.
The Dutchman commented: "They have that winning mentality and also the quality on the ball."
"[They were] Really strong and far too strong for Everton."
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