Football
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Chelsea's win against Southampton a 'massive step' towards title - Gary Cahill

Defender Gary Cahill claims Chelsea's 4-2 win against Southampton "feels like a massive step'' in the club's bid to claim a second title in three years.

A second-half brace from Diego Costa added to Eden Hazard's opener and Cahill's headed second to move the Blues seven points clear of Tottenham at the summit.

The England international told Sky Sports 1: "It feels like a massive step, to be honest.

"It's the first time in a long time that we've played [before Tottenham] so we knew how important it was to get the win. We're delighted today, we played well and deserved the win.''

Cahill felt his second goal came at a pivotal time, adding: "It was a great time to score the second goal because we went in at half-time with our tails up. It was a big boost for us and I'm sure it deflated them.''

The 31-year-old missed Saturday's FA Cup semifinal against Spurs as he battled gastroenteritis, but said: "I'm all right, just recovering, I'm fine.

"It's not too much about me, it's about the lads. I had a bit of gall bladder pain, so not ideal, but the lads didn't miss me at Wembley, put in a great performance there, and I'm just thankful to recover now and get back on the pitch.''

Manager Antonio Conte felt the changes he made for last Saturday's FA Cup semifinal were justified as he brought Hazard, Costa and Cahill back into his starting lineup and all of them scored.

"It was a good win and I think today I have to be pleased for a great effort, a fantastic effort from my players. It wasn't easy to play after a tough game against Tottenham,'' Conte said.

"It shows my choices were right for the game against Tottenham and for the game against Southampton. It's not easy for the coach to take this responsibility, to make these strong choices, but I have to be pleased because I have a squad of great men and good players.

"It's important for us to look at ourselves, these are the most important things. We must be ready and to prepare for the next game as we look at ourselves and not the others.''

Southampton boss Claude Puel said: "We played a strong team with two fantastic players in Costa and Eden Hazard and they made the difference.

"It's a shame as we had the first opportunity but we conceded the first goal after five minutes, the second just before half-time and the third just when we had come back out onto the pitch after half-time.

"I think it was a good game for us, without being clinical.''

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