Chelsea manager: What impressed me about Hazard-Morata partnership in 3-1 win
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was pleased with the performance of Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata in a 3-1 win over Newcastle
Antonio Conte expressed his delight with Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata after the Chelsea duo helped to secure a 3-1 win against Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
The defending Premier League champions signed Morata in a £58m deal from La Liga giants Real Madrid in the summer transfer window to bolster Conte’s attacking options.
The Blues manager has deployed Hazard as a second striker behind Morata in the Chelsea team since the Belgium international’s return from a serious ankle problem.
The Chelsea duo have forged a good partnership so far and combined brilliantly again during the west London side’s 3-1 win over Newcastle.
Hazard cancelled out Dwight Gayle’s opener with a clinical finish before Morata guided a header into the net following Victor Moses’ cross.
The Chelsea number 10 polished off a comfortable win with an audacious chipped penalty with 13 minutes remaining to secure three points for the title holders.
Hazard and Morata have scored a combined 15 goals and made two assists to help the defending champions put pressure on Manchester City and Manchester United.
And Conte was pleased with the Chelsea duo as their partnership continues to evolve.
“He played a really good game. I think he enjoyed playing this type of football,” Conte told his post-match media conference.
“Eden for us is an important player because with him we can change our system, he can play as a second striker or a number 10 when we play 3-4-3.
“Eden and Alvaro showed a great link, I saw a lot of good combination play.”
Chelsea are looking to win their third Premier League title in four seasons.
