Chelsea have been crowned champions for the sixth time in their history.
Antonio Conte’s team have won the Premier League with two games to spare after a late goal by Michy Batshuayi secured the title with a 1-0 win over West Brom.
The £33million striker has endured a frustrating season, spent largely on the bench. But he came to Chelsea’s rescue on 81 minutes – just five minutes after replacing Pedro as a substitute – and produced the all-important title-winning goal.
Now he wants his players to make it a “double”.
Conte celebrated at the Hawthorns after having a bucket of water poured over him and being sprayed with champagne after Michy Batshuayi’s late winner clinched the Premier League.
His managerial skill already led his players to the FA Cup final as they face Arsenal later this month and he hopes to win another trophy to his impressive first season.
Conte said: “We were not lucky, we did a great job. It is a great season, but to be a fantastic season we have to win the FA Cup.
“This is for my players. I have to say thanks for their commitment, their attitude and passion, and their will to do something great this season.
“Now, after this win, I think that we must be happy for all the season. This win is for the players. They deserved this for their great commitment through all the season. We won this title together.
We fought a lot to win this title. My players were fantastic in a club who supported us.
“Every game I feel like I have played with my players. I show my passion and my will, my desire to stay with my players in every moment of the game. This is me, I am this.
“In the present, in the past, I stay with my players in positive and negative situations. We won this title together.
Batshuayi was an unlikely hero as the £33m striker stepped off the bench and scored only his second Premier League goal and Conte admitted it has been a tough time for the Belgium striker.
Conte said: “I thought that Hazard and Pedro were tired and we needed more energy. Michy paid me a lot with this change! It was great. It wasn’t easy for me to arrive in England and try different habits, a different language and inherit players after a bad season.”
Batshuayi said: “It’s the best moment in my football career. It’s good. Everybody is happy. This is the best day for Chelsea. I want the trophy today. This is the best moment in my footballing life, for sure.”
Chelsea defender David Luiz added: “I am happy. Very happy. It is my first Premier League title. When I decided to come back here I dreamed to win the Premier League. I am very happy because my dream came true.”
West Brom boss Tony Pulis paid tribute and said: “You have to give Chelsea, Antonio and all his coaching staff the credit. He’s got them well set up. They’re very well organised.
“They’re probably at their best on the counter-attacking, very good springing out of defence, and have some wonderful players. They have some fantastic individual players who can change games in the blink of an eye, as they have all season. They’re very strong at the back as well. They deserve the title.”
Conte, 47, becomes the fourth Italian to achieve the feat in the English top-flight – a year after Claudio Ranaier masterminded Leicester City’s incredible 5000-1 winning glory.
He follows in the footsteps of countryman Carlo Ancelotti who guided the Blues to the feat seven years ago and Roberto Mancini, who led Manchester City to the crown in 2012.
Conte has been a huge success all season. He became the first manager in history to win three successive Manager of the Month awards as he scooped the prize in October, November and December.
His latest trophy triumph represents the seventh piece of silverware to be collected during Conte’s illustrious managerial career.
