Chelsea duo Conte and Hazard scoop Premier League monthly awards

In October, he scored three goals and provided one assist out of a total of four league fixtures in the month, helping Chelsea work their way back up the table, where they now sit in second place, just one point behind Liverpool.

Ivanovic has won several trophies with Chelsea, including a couple of Premier Leagues, one UEFA Europa League and a UEFA Champions League, making over 350 appearances and scored 33 goals as a blue. In previous matches Boro were underwhelming, showing other teams far too much respect as if they nearly didn’t believe they warranted their place in the top division.

Fabregas has been grappling with a thigh injury since making a solitary Premier League start this term in the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Meanwhile Conte believes Hazard’s performances are “fantastic”, because he is putting the team first.

Hazard, again, popped up for the best goal of the afternoon, combining beautifully with Pedro on the right flank before converting a near post shot for the fourth. “For me he is an important player and is in good form”. It’s such a difficult formation to play against – I played for Belgium against [Conte’s] Italy at the Euros and, even though we saw plenty of the ball, it was so hard to break down that defensive block.

On Sunday we know we’ll have a tough game against a strong team who drew with Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Italian boss also provided a fitness update ahead of this clash.

Despite Chelsea being in such good form, Conte is wary not to get carried away and is concerned their run will soon come to an end.

“His physical condition is good but there is also tomorrow to see the situation”. “He recovered very well”.

Chelsea’s lethal striker Diego Costa was forced to withdraw from the Spanish squad with a groin injury.

A nerve-wracking moment occurred for Chelsea supporters when Eden Hazard seemed to be injured during his global duty with Belgium.

Middlesbrough (2-5-4) have struggled a bit in their quest to secure a second consecutive season in the top flight.

Aitor Karanka celebrates three years in charge of Middlesbrough with the northeast side looking to build on the point earned in a 1-1 draw at Manchester City before the worldwide break.

Marten De Roon netted the stoppage-time equaliser to cancel out Sergio Aguero’s 43rd-minute opener.

It did not take long for Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to be linked with returns to the Premier League after both players confirmed they were leaving MLS this week. “Friend had a knock on his knee yesterday so we will need to check”.

Before the turnaround, Chelsea won only a point in September.