Blues hat-trick in monthly awards

Chelsea has become the first club to collect a hat-trick of Premier League awards in the same month with Antonio Conte, Diego Costa and Pedro picking up the prizes for November.

Conte earned his second Barclays Manager of the Month title in a row after guiding the Blues to three wins out of three in November. His fusion of free-flowing football and defensive solidity continued to deliver as the Blues scored eight and conceded only once.

Diego Costa was named the EA Sports Player of the Month for his role in continuing the winning run. After providing a goal and an assist in the side’s 5-0 victory over Everton, the division’s topscorer added a decisive strike against Middlesbrough and reached double digits for the season.

The Spain international then set up the winner in Chelsea’s comeback to win 2-1 against Tottenham Hotspur, rounding off a fruitful month from both a team and individual perspective. His success ensured the honour stayed in Blues hands, Eden Hazard having clinched the October prize.

‘Things are going well at the moment. The team is doing well and this shows that things are working out for me,’ Diego Costa said.

‘The team performance has a bearing on this individual award. If we were bottom, I doubt I’d have won it. So, it’s down to my team-mates, thanks to the club and hopefully we can continue this winning run. Thanks also to the fans for this award but the most important thing for me and the club is that we are up there fighting for the league at the end of the season.’

This is the second time Diego Costa has been awarded the accolade. He was recognised for his blistering start to English football in August 2014. It is the 18th time for a Chelsea player and our seventh Manager and Player of the Month double. 

Pedro completed the historic clean sweep by claiming the Goal of the Month trophy. His curling equaliser at Stamford Bridge against Tottenham stood out among a shortlist of eight stunning goals, including Hazard’s second versus Everton.

‘This is the best goal I have scored for Chelsea,’ Pedro said. ‘The game was very difficult, it was a derby, and the goal came at the right moment for us. It was important to score before half-time. Thank you to the fans for voting for me. I am very happy with this award.’

All three awards were decided by a combination of votes from a panel of experts and Premier League supporters. The picks reflect Chelsea’s promising lead-up to the festive period which has opened up a three-point gap at the top of the Premier League table.