Eden Hazard can be the next Lionel Messi, feels Cesc Fabregas

“Yes, for sure it would be my greatest achievement”, said Conte, who has a domestic double in his sights having masterminded a 4-2 FA Cup semi-final win against Tottenham at Wembley on Saturday.

“It’s important for his confidence and for us”.

“I continue to repeat this concept: it’s important to be focused on the moment because the moment is very important for all of us”, he said. “It wasn’t easy after a tough game at Tottenham – Southampton are strong with good personalities, I’m very pleased for players – they deserved it”. We can stay at home tomorrow to watch the game and we will see.

Stamford Bridge ended the game in celebratory mood and the feeling that Chelsea’s equilibrium had been restored after those recent slips at home to Crystal Palace and away to Manchester United.

“It’s a shame that with the quality of this game we conceded those goals”.

“It’s a good win – I’m pleased with the fantastic effort”.

And the forward fed off a neat Eden Hazard flick to bury his second goal just before stoppage time. “They can be the difference”.

Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard can be “unstoppable” if he is more selfish and is second only in ability to Lionel Messi, according to teammate Cesc Fabregas.

Meanwhile, Southampton manager Claude Puel has made two alterations to his side, with Oriol Romeu and Sofiane Boufal coming in for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Nathan Redmond.

Hazard was happy to bag the points, forcing their rivals to respond, saying: ‘It’s always good to play before [Spurs] and put pressure on them’. But come the end, Chelsea were convincing winners.

Eden Hazard opened the scoring in the fifth minute after Diego Costa was played in behind the Southampton defence and cut the ball back to the Belgium global to smash home with his first touch past Fraser Forster.

He shared a quick exchange with both Pedro and Hazard before applying the ideal finish from 10 yards in the 89th minute.

Another ex-Chelsea starlet, Ryan Bertrand, would score again for Southampton. Substitutes: Nathan Redmond (for Sofiane Boufal, 67 minutes) 6, Shane Long (for Ward-Prowse, 81 minutes) 6, Jay Rodriguez (for Gabbiadini, 86 minutes) 6.