Sunday 1 January 2017 10:05, UK
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says his players deserve to match Arsenal's Premier League winning record after they beat Stoke 4-2 on New Year's Eve.
The Blues have won their last 13 games in the league - matching the previous run set by Arsenal in the 2001/02 campaign - and could break the record at Tottenham on Wednesday evening, live on Sky Sports.
The Italian boss attributed the achievement to his side after the thrilling victory at Stamford Bridge and praised their efforts so far this term.
"We are pleased but I have to say congratulations to all my players because this is a great achievement for them, for the club and for our fans," Conte told Sky Sports.
"After a bad season last year, I'm pleased for them because every day during training sessions and during the games, I see great attitude, a great work rate, the will to fight and the will to try to win. Today, after the other team drew twice, they showed the will to find another win. I'm pleased for them and they deserve this.
"I think it's important to have good relations between myself and the players. Together, all the people who work for Chelsea and with us, I think it is the real secret. It is the family between us and we win and lose together."
Chelsea were twice pegged back by Stoke, with Bruno Martins Indi equalising early in the second half to cancel out Gary Cahill's header in the first 45 minutes.
Willian put the Blues back ahead 10 minutes later but Peter Crouch nabbed his first Premier League goal since the final day of the 2014/15 season to get the Potters back on level terms, before the Brazilian was again on the scoresheet less that a minute later.
Diego Costa dealt the final blow with five minutes of normal time remaining, and Conte was pleased with how his side have performed in the opening months of the campaign.
"The first part of our season was very good but it is logical when you have 19 games and you are able to win 16, draw one and lose two of them, it means you are doing very well and working very hard," he added.
"Like I said, I think my players deserve this because they are showing great passion to win, to work very hard and to improve and in every game, to find a resolution to win."
