Antonio Conte took his Chelsea side to face Middlesbrough on Sunday afternoon on the back of 5 straight league wins while utilising the 3-4-3 formation. Boro came into the game in good form themselves having drawn with both Manchester City and Arsenal in their last 3 games. Aitor Karanka’s men could not make it three good results against the top teams however as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea.

The Blues had the chance to go top of the table after Southampton held leaders Liverpool to a draw on Saturday and Chelsea took their opportunity with both hands. In a clinical display, Antonio Conte stuck with his favoured three at the back to keep yet another clean sheet as Diego Costa scored the only goal of the game just before half-time with a classic goal poacher’s strike.

Costa has now reached 10 league goals on the season and is the Premier league scoring leader, sitting 2 goals ahead of Sergio Aguero. Conte seems to have a superb relationship with the striker as Costa has virtually eliminated his petulant outbursts and has largely avoided disciplinary issues this season as his football has been doing the talking. Conte clearly knows how to get the best out of the Spanish international as Costa seems to be relaxed playing for the Italian and his goal output reflects that.

With Chelsea due to play title rivals Tottenham and Manchester City next in the Premier League, Chelsea go into these matches in the best form they have shown in quite some time. Interestingly, Chelsea sit at the top of the League for the first time since they were crowned as champions back in May of 2015. Based on their play under Antonio Conte, the Blues could well be in the same position in May 2017 as the manager seems to have the whole squad buying into his way of doing things. The players are clearly happy playing for Conte and are therefore enjoying their football which tends to lead to good results.