Chelsea must keep their focus against Middlesbrough – Conte

Chelsea need two wins from four games to win the Premier League title, but head coach Antonio Conte is taking nothing for granted.

Conte said on Friday afternoon that he was uncertain if he was going to watch Tottenham’s clash at West Ham on Friday night, given his wife and daughter were visiting from Italy.

But he had reason to celebrate at the final whistle as Spurs’ 1-0 loss to the Hammers means Chelsea need six more points to guarantee the title.

Conte’s men play Middlesbrough on Monday, followed by West Brom on Friday, so could reclaim the trophy won by Leicester last season ahead of Spurs’ next game, against Manchester United on May 14.

“My expectation for this game is we must play a great game [vs. Middlesbrough],” Conte said. “We have to try to take three points.

“This game is very important. Now with only four games to go, it’s important to win. It won’t be easy.

“Middlesbrough is struggling to avoid relegation. We must be ready, ready to fight, ready to find the right way to take three points.”

Spurs had hoped their game against United — the last at White Hart Lane before the existing stadium is demolished — would be a celebration, but it may be more about nostalgia if Chelsea have already secured the title.

Conte is seeking a league and FA Cup double in his first season as Chelsea head coach, with the FA Cup final against Arsenal on May 27 to come.

Conte added: “I hope to arrive at the end of the season with my players and the club to celebrate something important this season.

“We are working very hard to reach this target. For me, it’s not the first time to win the title. I have a good experience to face this type of situation. But it won’t be easy until the end.’