Antonio Conte praises Chelsea's battling qualities after come from behind win over Newcastle

Dwight Gayle’s shock opener was a less than perfect start for the Blues but Conte was happy with how his side responded

Antonio Conte was pleased to see his side come from behind and take all three points (Getty)

Antonio Conte was pleased with his side’s battling qualities after watching Chelsea come from behind against Newcastle to stay in the hunt in the Premier League title race.

Dwight Gayle’s early goal put the hosts behind at Stamford Bridge but two from the sublime Eden Hazard and another from the in-form Alvaro Morata ensured a sixth win in seven games to keep Conte’s men on the coattails of Manchester City at the top.

Gayle’s shock opener was a less than perfect start for the Blues but Conte was happy with how his side responded.

“I think we must be pleased, it was a good answer of all my players,” he said. “I think we started the game a bit slow. But after when we went 1-0 down and then we started to play with good intensity and created chances to score.

“It was a good performance from all my players. I am very happy for this. Today it was another good finish, it is not simple to go 1-0 down and have the right desire and will to fight and will to win this type of game.

“It was very important to take three points and we did this.”

Morata headed Chelsea in front (Getty)

Hazard was deserved man of the match, capping a mesmeric performance with a Panenka penalty for Chelsea’s third.

Conte was pleased with his star man’s performance and in particular how he continued to show a impressive understanding with £70m summer signing Morata.

"I think he played a really good game,” he added. “ I think he enjoyed playing this type of football. He is an important player as we can change our system. He can play as a second striker, he can play as a number 10.

Hazard was at his mesmeric best at the Bridge (Getty)

“Today Eden and Alvaro showed a great link and I saw a lot of good combination play. I am happy.

“But you know very well in this league there is a team doing extraordinary things, that is Manchester City. Otherwise I think we stay there with the other teams.

“At the same time it is important to look at ourselves and go step by step and go game by game."