I have a squad of great men - Conte lauds Chelsea toughness in Southampton win

Antonio Conte praised the character of his Chelsea
players after they came through a tough
examination against Southampton with a 4-2 win
to take them a step closer to the Premier League
title.
Eden Hazard fired home his 15th top-flight goal of
the season to give the hosts an early lead at
Stamford Bridge but Chelsea old boy Oriol Romeu
levelled in the 25th minute.
Southampton posed plenty more questions of an
uncharacteristically shaky Chelsea for the
remainder of the first half but captain Gary Cahill
headed them ahead in stoppage time.
Diego Costa ended his recent goal drought with a
second-half brace before Ryan Bertrand was the
second Stamford Bridge returnee to get on the
scoresheet as his former club extended their lead
over Tottenham at the summit to seven points.
"For sure it was a good win and I think I have to be
pleased for the great effort from my players," said
Conte, who had expressed his unhappiness at the
quick turnaround from the FA Cup semi-final win
against Spurs on Saturday.
"It wasn't easy to play two and a half days after a
tough game against Tottenham and to face this
type of team.
"Southampton showed today they are a really good
team, very strong with good personality and play
good football with good players.
"We must be pleased for the win. I am pleased for
my players because they deserve this win for the
great effort they showed me."
Hazard, Costa, Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were all
recalled to the starting line-up after Conte rotated
boldly at Wembley and he felt his players cast his
decisions in a favourable light.
"After two wins it is normal to do this consideration
that my decisions were right but it is not easy for
the coach in this situation to make these strong
choices," he told Sky Sports.
Full-time: Chelsea 4-2 Southampton!
Three points secured with goals from
@hazardeden10 , @GaryJCahill and
@diegocosta (2) ! #CHESOU
pic.twitter.com/edJUOHapkw
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 25,
2017
"I must be pleased because I have a squad of great
men and great players.
"For sure, to score the second goal at the end of
the first half was very important for us. I was
confident because I was seeing the team have a
great will and a great desire to win."
During his decorated playing career, Conte saw
Juventus both prevail and collapse down the title
stretch, and he does not want his players to
become fixated on nearest challengers Spurs, who
travel to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
"In this part of the season it is not easy. I was a
footballer and I know what happens in every single
player," he said.
"It is important for us to look at ourselves. These
are the most important things for us. This race will
continue until the end of the league and for this
reason we must be ready."