EPL: Chelsea Finds Its Spot Atop The Ladder

The Blues continued to create chances, Pedro going closest when he smacked a rising drive against the crossbar.

Hills offer 17-20 that Chelsea end Tottenham’s unbeaten start and bet365 are 33-1 the Blues match Manchester United’s Premier League record of nine consecutive victories without conceding.

Former Juventus manager Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer after guiding Italy to the quarter-final of Euro 2016 in France. Five assists – a figure matched by Pedro – is second only to Kevin De Bruyne in the Premier League rankings, while his pass-completion rate on a tricky trip to the Riverside on Sunday was an impressive 97 per cent, the best of any starter.

The three points mean it’s six league wins in a row for the first time since August-September 2009 for Chelsea (9-1-2).

“I want to prove to the owner that he picked well when he chose Antonio Conte for the next three years”. And it has helped the Blues move top of the table for the first time since they were crowned champions in May 2015. Costa started playing better toward the end of last season, after the departure of Jose Mourinho, but the striker is now back at his best and is showing it by leading the scoring race. Klopp’s men have been in red-hot form but could not find the back of the net last weekend against the Saints.

And, most importantly, he was clinical when a sniff of an opportunity arrived.

That was what happened shortly before halftime when four defenders looked like figures in a spot-the-ball competition as the league’s top scorer nipped in amongst them and volleyed the decisive goal.

Chelsea almost doubled their lead in the 62nd minute as Costa teed up Pedro, who rattled the crossbar from the edge of the box.

The Italian boss claimed that his team’s style of play is like no other in the league and has also paid homage to Conte’s 3-4-3 formation at Chelsea.

They did not have to do much defending against Boro other than a short spell in the second half, but still showed they can get through hard spells in matches without conceding any clear chances.

Moses knows at least one of them will drop in too, so Chelsea’s three-man defence is rarely left without cover even if he does not get back.

“It’s not going to be easy”, Conte said of Chelsea’s chances of finishing top. “There are positives to take”, said Gibson.