Conte hails Diego Costa but says Chelsea not favourites

Diego Costa has been prolific this season under Antonio Conte Credit: PA

Antonio Conte believes he has convinced "warrior" Diego Costa to ignore the sideshow of niggling opponents and focus instead on simply scoring goals.

Arch wind-up merchant Costa curiously still remains without a red card in Premier League football, despite rolling out every trick in the book to unsettle the opposition.

The 28-year-old hitman has parked some of that gamesmanship however, blasting 11 league goals so far this term as Chelsea have won eight Premier League matches on the spin.

Chelsea host West Brom at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with their Italian manager Conte desperate for Costa to remain on the straight and narrow.

Chelsea will bid for a ninth-straight Premier League win against West Brom on Sunday, to follow up their crushing 3-1 win at Manchester City.

But Blues boss Conte insists his side are not title favourites and also believes no side could crack the 100-point barrier in the Premier League.

Chelsea hold the league's points-tally record with 95, while Conte guided Juventus to a European-wide points record of 102 in 2014.

Asked if he could repeat that Juventus feat in England, Conte replied it would be tough indeed.