Conte welcomes pressure from rivals

Cape Town - Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said he welcomed the pressure from other clubs trying to stay with his Premier League leaders, adding that he expected a battle until the end of the season.

Speaking after Chelsea’s 2-1 win over West Ham at the London Stadium, Conte said: "I think this league it will be very tough until the end."

One goal in each half from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa gave Chelsea the three points, although West Ham grabbed a late consolation goal through Manuel Lanzini.

The win restored Chelsea’s 10-point lead at the top of the table over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur with just 11 games to play.

"I listen the other coaches on the other teams and they trust (players) to win and it is right to have this ambition," Conte said. "It is important for us to know that they have this ambition, to keep this hunger, this will to fight."

The Italian added that he wanted his forwards to be more clinical.

With no European competition to play in this season, Chelsea have been able to focus solely on the title, although Conte said that winning the FA Cup was another target.

Chelsea's next game in the FA Cup is a quarterfinal at home to Manchester United on March 13.

Kick off is at 21:45.