Chelsea hero Joe Cole has hailed the impact of manager Antonio Conte.

The Blues hero, who won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups in his seven years at Stamford Bridge, has been impressed by what he has seen this term.

"They have been excellent [this season]," Cole told talkSPORT.

"With the benefit of not having European football, Antonio Conte has been able to get his philosophy across and the way he wants to play.

"You have seen them improve steadily from the start of the season and that result on the weekend was a real marker down in the title race. That is the first proper big game this season and you have to look at Chelsea being the favourites now.

"If Chelsea would have got a point there, that would have been a great result. Man City really needed to win the game.

"Pep's revolution might take a bit of time because of the European football – there isn't enough time to work on the training pitch and get your messages across. With Conte he has had that time and he is doing a great job.

“The team looks like it has got personality and character again, which is important."