Conte hails players but calls for calm after Chelsea go top

A delighted Antonio Conte praised his players after Chelsea’s brilliant victory against Everton but insisted they “must stay calm” amid talk of them being serious title contenders.

The Blues moved to the top of the Premier League table with a 5-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge, where Eden Hazard scored twice.

It was Chelsea’s fifth consecutive league win and could easily have been by a greater margin, such was their total dominance.

“When you have this type of performance you are very pleased,” boss Conte said.

“Above all I am pleased for my players. It is important to win, but when we win in this way, playing good football, I think it is great. It can improve our confidence. I am very pleased tonight.

“When you see every day their commitment and work-rate during training it is important to have this kind of performance. It means we can trust in our work.”

But Conte was quick to play down their title chances, insisting they must “keep focusing and improving” over the course of the season.

Liverpool and Arsenal will move above Chelsea if they win their matches on Sunday.

Conte said: “If you look at the table you can see we are top. Tomorrow that probably can change, but that is not important.

“What is important is to win and to play good football – and to bring our principles on to the pitch.”