Tuesday 16 August 2016 21:24, UK
Antonio Conte insisted Chelsea still have room for improvement after they started the Premier League season with a 2-1 win over West Ham on Monday Night Football.
In Conte's first competitive game in charge, the Blues largely dominated at Stamford Bridge.
They secured victory thanks to a late Diego Costa goal, after James Collins had cancelled out Eden Hazard's penalty early in the second half.
"The team played a good game with great intensity and good spirit," Conte told Sky Sports. "It's important to find the right spirit and intensity, we know that we can improve and we must improve a lot, but I am pleased for the team.
"The victory was deserved for me. Now we have to prepare for the next game."
Of the 11 players that started for Chelsea, 10 of them were also in the starting XI for the opening game of the 2015/16 season, with N'Golo Kante the only new addition.
While the former Leicester midfielder's most notable contribution was picking up an early yellow card, Conte saw an improved performance from Hazard, who scored and won the man-of-the-match award.
"Eden played a good game," said Conte. "He has great ability and is very important in this team.
"I am very pleased with his performance but I know, and he knows, that he can improve a lot."
Reflecting on his first match in the Premier League, the Italian added: "I only knew the league through television and having played against English teams in the Champions League and Europa League, but it is very difficult.
"The atmosphere was fantastic and I want to say thank you to the fans because they followed the players at the end. There was great intensity and it was also very physical. I am delighted with the performance."
