Thursday, 28 September 2017
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has heaped praises on teammate Eden Hazard after the pair combined to help the Premier League champions record a landmark win over Atletico Madrid. Morata, 24, scored his seventh goal in as many games for his new club, heading home the Belgian international’s cross to bring his side level, before Michy Batshuayi struck a 94th-minute winner to condemn the Spanish side to the first defeat at their new Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Hazard’s recovery from ankle surgery had meant the club’s record signing has had limited opportunities to play alongside Chelsea’s most skilful attacker up until now, but the initial signs are extremely encouraging for manager Antonio Conte and Morata expect their partnership to flourish. “It is easy playing with a player like Eden,” Morata told BT Sport.
“He is one of the best players in the world, and I am very lucky to play with him. The Spanish striker added: “I am happy but we must continue to win the games, win all the three points that are possible and we are very happy because in this game we did. “The win was very important for us because this was a very important test for us, playing against Atletico.
“Atletico in the last few years have arrived at the Champions League final, so it was a very good test and we took the three points and now we can move on, relax and put this mentality into the Premier League.
It was a massive victory.” Chelsea will face their first real test this weekend when they battle in-form Manchester City in the English Premier League matchday 7 at Stamford bridge.
