LONDON: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has called on his players to maintain the form they showed during their 4-0 thrashing of Brighton until the end of the season to ensure a top-four finish.
The Blues were brilliant as they eased past the hosts going 2-0 up after just six minutes through an Eden Hazard strike and a wonder goal by Willian. They then doubled their lead in the second-half thanks to another Hazard strike and a Victor Moses goal.
It was an impressive display from the defending Premier League champions who looked close their best at the Amex Stadium and underlined just what they can do when on song.
And Conte was very happy with the performance.
“It was an important performance. We started very well and scored quickly, with good combinations,” the Blues boss said.
“We started with a lot of worries, for injuries and suspensions, but the response of the team was incredible. I am very happy for this. Another clean sheet.
“Today it was a really good performance of the team. We moved the ball quickly, we tried to find the players between the lines, to have good combinations.
“I saw important things. Now we have to continue.”
It has been a tough season both for Conte and Chelsea. Although they lie in third spot in the table performances this season have, at times, been patchy with rumors rife that Conte is looking to leave Stamford Bridge come the summer. But from the opening seconds against Brighton the visitors looked every inch like defending champions. Hazard thumped the ball home from close range to net his 100th career league goal in the third minute.
Hazard was also involved in the second goal only three minutes later as some intricate link play ended with Brazil midfielder Willian producing a venomous right-footed shot that gave Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan no chance.
Brighton’s Ezequiel Schelotto had two penalty appeals turned down and Davy Propper headed against the post for the home team before Chelsea struck again with late goals from Hazard and Moses.
Hazard ran the game and showed exactly why Real Madrid are rumored to be interesting in taking the Belgian to the Bernabeu at the end of the season.
“It’s my job (scoring goals), that’s why I like to play football,” said Hazard.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte calls for more of the same after thrashing
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte calls for more of the same after thrashing
Patrick Habirora headlines PFL Brussels at Ing Arena in May
- PFL returns on May 23 with ‘The Belgian Bomber’ facing MMA legend Benson ‘Smooth’ Henderson
NEW YORK: The Professional Fighters League returns to the ING Arena on Saturday, May 23, for PFL Brussels, with Belgium’s No. 10-ranked welterweight Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora (8-0) facing former UFC champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson (30-12).
Habirora has seven victories coming by way of KO or TKO. He silenced doubters last December at PFL Lyon against his toughest test to date, Kevin Jousset.
A thunderous first-round knockout followed by relentless ground-and-pound sent the Lyon crowd into a frenzy and left many wondering how far he can go in MMA.
A former WEC and UFC champion, “Smooth” is a 20-year veteran and remains one of the most accomplished athletes of his era. Henderson has beaten Nate Diaz, Frankie Edgar (twice), and Jorge Masvidal.
Recently sharpening his tools across grappling, karate, wrestling and boxing, Henderson now returns to MMA determined to prove his championship pedigree.
Upcoming PFL Schedule:
- Friday, March 20: PFL Madrid, Palacio Vistalegre, Madrid, Spain.
- Saturday, March 28: PFL Pittsburgh, UPMC Events Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Saturday, April 11: PFL Chicago, Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois.
- Thursday, April 16: PFL Belfast, SSE Arena Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
- Saturday, May 2: PFL Sioux Falls, Sanford Pentagon: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
- Saturday, May 23: PFL Brussels, ING Arena, Brussels, Belgium.
