Antonio Conte heaped praise on Cesc Fabregas following the win (Picture: Getty)

Antonio Conte singled out Cesc Fabregas for praise in the aftermath of Chelsea’s comprehensive 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Monday evening.

Fabregas set a new Premier League assists record as he set up Nemanja Matic for the Blues’ third goal at Stamford Bridge and was named man of the match off the back of a brilliant performance.

The Spain playmaker has struggled for game-time since Conte’s arrival at Chelsea last summer but has forced his way back into the manager’s first-team since the turn of the year.

Fabregas’ lack of minutes this term have seen him linked with a move to AC Milan at the end of the season and the 30-year-old responded to these rumours after the win.

Cesc Fabregas was handed the man of the match award at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)

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On the midfielder’s mixed campaign, Conte told Sky Sports: ‘We all know Cesc. He improved a lot this season.

‘I’m pleased for him because he put himself back in the team. At the start of the season it was hard because he didn’t play a lot but now he plays.

‘It shows if you work you can improve and change the situation.’

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