26 December,2016 10:51 AM IST | | AFP
Antonio Conte's first few months as Chelsea manager could hardly have gone any better as his side head into the holiday period six points clear at the Premier League summit
Antonio Conte
London: Antonio Conte's first few months as Chelsea manager could hardly have gone any better as his side head into the holiday period six points clear at the Premier League summit. The west London club face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge today seeking a 12th successive league victory, which would leave them two wins short of equaling Arsenal's all-time top-flight record. After an inconsistent start, Conte has made his mark on the club and while he accepts the extent of Chelsea's recent success has been unexpected, he believes it is fully merited.
"If you ask me this before, I must be honest: it was a bit difficult to believe we would be top of the table at Christmas," said the Italian.
"But I think we are working very well and I'm very happy for the players. The players deserve this," he added.
"But in my experience it's important to keep this position. You can keep it only through hard work, to face every game with great concentration and focus and will to fight," he said.
The omens are good for Chelsea, who have won the Premier League title on the four occasions they have previously led the table on Christmas Day.
