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For the second time this season, Chelsea has had to play without Diego Costa upfront, and the Blues won 3-0 on both occasions.

Eden Hazard was deployed as the false nine, and Antonio Conte was impressed with the performance of the front three — Hazard, Willian and Pedro.

Conte said after the game: “It’s important to have another plan in your mind. To play without a number nine is another solution. We showed against Bournemouth and today, we played without a number nine and won 3-0, 3-0.

“It’s important to always play as a team and to have different solutions is important for me and the team. Sometimes to change your plan is important.”