Antonio Conte “pleased” with win over West Ham United

Only five teams have gathered fewer Premier League points at home than Bilic’s side this season, while only Middlesbrough have scored fewer home goals. The 47-year-old Italian is on course to win the title in his maiden season in English soccer. Very gracious of him but even Liverpool and Manchester United fans are not so naïve to believe that.

Kante started for Antonio Conte’s side on Monday night as the Blues beat West Ham 2-1.

Worrying scenes followed as an angry West Ham got on to the field to confront the celebrating Chelsea players, before being led away by security.

They were fortunate to reach the interval only a goal behind after Chelsea spurned three clear-cut chances in rapid succession. Nobody could ever have imagined that he’d have made such an impact on the Premier League when he arrived last summer, especially as he Leicester’s second choice player having missed out on Jordan Veretout to Aston Villa.

“We want tropies back at Stamford bridge, that’s our target”. The team finished 10th last season, failing to qualify for European competition for the first time in the Abramovich era, with Conte admitting he is missing involvement at that level. Pedro Obiang touched the ball on at the near post and it flew across goal to Costa, inexplicably unmarked, drifting away from Winston Reid.

West Ham fans on Twitter have ripped into January signing Robert Snodgrass on Monday evening after a poor display against Chelsea. For Chelsea, Diego Costa is two goals short of 50 Premier League goals, and two goals in this match would see him become the fifth quickest player to reach 50 in the league’s history.

The Hammers will be hoping for some luck from their new stadium against the title contenders.

The Hammers could draw three successive Premier League games for the first time since a run of four draws between March and April 2016. “We played with pressure, and our answer was good”, Conte said after the win at West Ham.

Last season, Victor Moses was plying his trade with West Ham during something of an up-and-down loan spell.

Andy Carroll is a serious doubt for the encounter, as he continues to struggle with a groin injury. One chance, one goal!

Not only is it comforting for the Bray man, but also for Irish fans as Randolph is the only Irish goalkeeper now playing regular Premier League football.

“This game against West Ham, for us, is very important”, he added.

However, winger Michail Antonio serves a one-game ban.

Marcos Alonso – 7 – Solid defensively but failed to provide much attacking impetus on the left.

Hazard has returned to excellent form after ghosting his way through the campaign a year ago, but picked up a knock after a kick in training. Pedro might make it against West Ham however, due to his recent goal scoring form. However, their attacking play lacked the finesse needed to break down the Chelsea defence. At 66 points, Chelsea doesn’t have to do a whole lot to win it.