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LONDON. — Antonio Conte claimed Chelsea can still improve, despite recording his best win as manager of the club so far, describing his side’s 5-0 thrashing of Everton on Saturday night as “fantastico”.Since losing to Liverpool and Arsenal in successive games in September, results that called Conte’s job into question, the 2015 champions have scored 16 goals without reply in winning five consecutive league games.

But it was the manner of Saturday’s victory against a team with top-four aspirations that particularly pleased Conte, whose front three of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Pedro showed they are as dangerous as any in the league.

The Italian had been pressed to offer a word from his own language for the display and, having chuckled about the one he picked, then spoke seriously about how the true value of this victory is how it instils confidence in the system and his ongoing work with the squad.

“You have to show that you can win with the idea of playing good football. It’s important to put these players in the best situation to exploit their talent,” said Conte as Chelsea moved to the top of the table.

“I’m very pleased because today there was a fantastic atmosphere with our supporters. We must continue to work together with the players, the club, the supporters and then to improve step by step. We can improve. We can improve.

“My players played good football with good intensity. It was fantastic. It is a pity we have to stop for the international break,” he said.

The Italian was reluctant to single out individuals in a true team effort but when asked about Hazard, who scored twice in a man-of-the-match performance, he said the resurgent Belgian had done everything asked of him.

“Eden Hazard played an impressive game,” he said. “We all know he is a talented player. I see he is working a lot for the team and his teammates are very happy for this. He must continue, he is showing his talent in every game.

“It is important for confidence to be top of the league. We have to continue as Everton is now in the past.”

It is difficult to see how Hazard can improve, having put in one of his finest displays for Chelsea. He scored twice, opening the scoring after 18 minutes, before driving home the best strike of the game on 54 minutes after a brilliant exchange of flicks with Pedro. — AFP.