Conte hails Hazard after Chelsea win

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Antonio Conte hailed Eden Hazard after Chelsea’s 4-0 thrashing of West Brom but admitted it will be tough for them to catch leaders Manchester City.

The champions were excellent at The Hawthorns, where Hazard scored two of their goals despite being the victim of some fearsome challenges.

“Today Eden played very well and I think he showed great patience despite some situations which were very strong,” Blues boss Conte said.

“Now he has to continue in this way. He is 100% fit and is enjoying his football with us, which is important.

“This season we started with a lot of problems. Hazard was one of them because he didn’t work during pre-season after surgery.”

The victory was Chelsea’s fourth in a row but they remain nine points behind City, who won 2-0 at Leicester and show no signs of slipping up.

“It’s very difficult to think someone can stop them,” Conte said.

“They are having a fantastic run and have won every game and drawn just one since the start of the season.

“City are playing very well and having fantastic results. We have to continue this way, to continue to work and to look at ourselves.”