Chelsea ‘can play better’ insists Antonio Conte after thanking fans for their support of him as manager

It is reported that Conte will leave his post at the end of the season

The pressure on Conte was relieved after the three points (Getty)

Antonio Conte says that Chelsea “can play better” after their badly needed 3-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion, but that it was good for confidence and showed “the will to fight”, as he thanked the fans for singing his name in support.

The champions suffered a few nervous early moments in the victory, after successive three-goal defeats to Bournemouth and Watford, but a fine strike from Eden Hazard set them on the way to three points for the first time in three games. Conte said that goal, that came from a fine link-up with Olivier Giroud, was “a clear example of our idea” as he praised the new striker’s impact.

Those goals were met with renditions of “Antonio, Antonio” amid much speculation about the manager’s future, and he noted this afterwards.

“I think we must be satisfied to win the game, to get three points,” Conte said. “For sure, I think we can play better. We can play with more confidence. After two bad defeats, I think our confidence went down. We started the game with a bit of difficulty. Then, when we scored, we dominated the game, controlled the game, created many chances to improve the game. For sure, it's positive to see the will to fight, the will to take three points. It was very important to keep another clean sheet. Now we have to continue in this way.

“Yeah, for sure I have to thank the fans. They showed me great support because I think they are reading speculation and rumours about me. For sure, I'm grateful to the fans for supporting me in this way. It means that, maybe in our 18 months together, they understand my passion and my will to defend these colours, this shirt, this badge. I want to thank them.

“To feel this atmosphere around me is very important. It's very important to feel that people appreciate my work here in Chelsea. For sure, for me it's important. I repeat: me and the players are trying to do our best to give them the best satisfaction. Sometimes we can do this, sometimes not, but the will is always present.”

Conte meanwhile praised the impact of Giroud, who offered an assist on his first start for the club. The French striker ended the game going off for Alvaro Morata with his head bandaged, but the manager believes he will be fit for Friday’s FA Cup fifth-round game against Hull City.

“He was unlucky, but he's ready. Also for the game against Hull. Now it's very important to play games for him, and also for Alvaro. They need to find the best physical condition. Training is okay, but the games are better.

“We must be pleased for Giroud's performance. It was the first time he has played from the start for us. He needs to improve, to go into our idea of football, but to have a point of reference like Olivier is very important. We must be very pleased because, on the same night, we found also Morata. He played very well in the last 30 minutes, with great personality and speed.

“Now the most important thing for us is that these two players find their best physical condition. Morata has suffered for a month with this pain in his back, and I hope we've solved this situation. Giroud is coming back from a muscular problem so it's important he goes into our idea of football, into the right position. The first goal was a clear example of our idea.”