Cesc Fabregas urged Chelsea to wrap up the Premier League title on Friday after the leaders moved within touching distance of the silverware thanks to the Spaniard's inspired display
Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas
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Fabregas made sure Chelsea capitalised on Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 defeat at West Ham United on Friday by setting up goals for Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic, with Marcos Alonso also finding the net yesterday.
It left Chelsea seven points clear of Spurs at the summit and means they will be crowned champions for the second time in three seasons if they win at West Bromwich Albion on Friday.
"At this stage it was important to win and exploit Tottenham's defeat," said Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
"Now, another step to the title. We have to rest well and prepare for West Brom. We must try in the next game to become champions."
Should Chelsea fail to take maximum points at The Hawthorns, subsequent home games against Watford and relegated Sunderland mean Conte's side have plenty of margin for error.
Fabregas has now assisted 10 or more goals in six different English top-flight seasons -- a record in the Premier League era.
Boro return to the Championship after one season back among the elite, joining Sunderland in sinking into the second tier just as fellow northeast side Newcastle United are celebrating their return to the top level.
"I've just come away from a silent dressing room," Boro manager Steve Agnew told Sky Sports.
"It's a terrific club and it's about how we reflect over the summer. We need to make sure Boro bounce back very quickly."
Chelsea were missing N'Golo Kante -- named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year earlier in the day -- due to a thigh injury, but the Frenchman's absence was to prove a blessing in disguise.
It brought Fabregas into the team and the Spaniard immediately set about laying waste to Middlesbrough's defensive plans with a succession of accurate, strafing
passes.
He seemed particularly taken by the space behind Boro right back Fabio da Silva.
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