Feb 18 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Antonio Conte paid tribute to the performances of his back-up players as his in-form team moved a step closer to a league and cup double. The Italian made seven changes for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie at second-tier Wolverhampton Wanderers, which the Premier League leaders won 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Pedro and Diego Costa. With Chelsea eight points clear in the Premier League and with at least two sides from outside the top flight having reached the FA Cup quarter-finals, the Londoners' chances of a second domestic trophy double in seven years look good. "Don't forget today I made seven changes and I trust in my squad and my players," he said. Young squad players Nathan Ake, Kurt Zouma and Nathaniel Chalobah also made rare starts, while Pedro scored for the third FA Cup tie in succession, playing in an unfamiliar wing-back role.

Source: Economic Times February 18, 2017 21:45 UTC