It was fitting that in the week Chelsea fans belatedly said goodbye to Diego Costa, they ended it singing the name of his replacement, as Alvaro Morata scored his first hat-trick for his new club.
It only took 90 seconds for Morata to slip away from his markers and chase down Cesar Azpilicueta’s long ball before slotting it into the net. Two more goals followed in a classic centre forward’s performance, as the Spanish striker constantly looked to make runs beyond the opposition and stretch their defence.
Before the game his manager, Antonio Conte, had spoken of how Morata ‘always understands the best position to receive the ball.’ This was readily apparent throughout Saturday’s game, as his pace to get in behind the defence was matched by the quality of his finishing.
He has very different qualities to the departed Costa, whose aggressive style never kept him far away from the headlines. In last week’s goalless draw with Arsenal some criticised Morata for failing to impose himself on the opposition in the way that Costa perhaps would have. Arsenal’s defence marshalled Morata superbly, barely allowing him a kick.
In contrast, Costa always enjoyed himself against Arsenal, with his role in the dismissal of Gabriel in 2015 a supreme demonstration of his mastery of the game’s dark arts. Costa was always willing volunteer to assume the role of pantomime villain, and didn’t so much play on the line as trample all over it.
While Morata operates on the shoulder of the defender, Costa spent much of his time attempting to get up the defender’s nostrils. His bull in a china shop style may have not been easy on the eye, but it was mightily effective.
They may be very different in their style of play, but it seems that Morata has the potential to be just as successful. He may lack his predecessor’s ability to bully opponents into submission, but the ex-Real Madrid player has brought an added level of finesse to Chelsea’s attack.
There will be far tougher challengers than a Stoke side void of their first choice defence, but the signs are promising for Chelsea’s record signing. Six league goals in as many games is an enviable record.
This was the type of performance that was needed to kick-start the post-Costa era.
