Premier League: Chelsea beat Wolves to move up to fourth
Chelsea ended their five-match winless streak in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge and moved up to fourth in the table.
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata is set to miss the whole of October and possibly November after the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed that the striker had suffered a Grade II tear in his hamstring.
“Alvaro Morata has suffered a ‘grade II myofascial injury’ to the hamstring muscles,” the RFEF revealed on Monday after getting the 24-year-old scanned at their facility in Madrid.
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Morata pulled up clutching his leg in the first-half of Chelsea’s home tie with Manchester City on Saturday and his absence proved key as the Blues fell to a 1-0 defeat to fall six points behind the Manchester clubs in the Premier League title race.
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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte calmed fears of a lengthy absence in his post-match presser by asserting the decision to sub the forward was more of a precautionary measure than anything else but the RFEF’s revelation has come as a huge blow for the Blues.
Chelsea’s fixtures in October: Crystal Palace (away), Roma (Champions League-home), Watford (home), Everton (League Cup-home) and Bournemouth (away).
Chelsea’s fixtures in November: Roma (Champions League-away), Manchester United (home), West Bromwich Albion (away), Qarabag FK (Champions League-away), Liverpool (away) and Swansea City (home).
The Spanish federation’s revelation makes Morata a major doubt for the Champions League double-header with Serie A side and the Premier League home clash with Manchester United (November 5).
Morata’s absence could derail Chelsea’s title defence for since his arrival for a club-record £60 million in the summer, the Spaniard has banged in an impressive seven goals in just nine appearances.
The Blues have a single recognised back-up striker in their squad, Michy Batshuayi, who has impressed with his cameos off the bench but it remains to be seen if Conte considers the Belgian good enough to warrant a start.
Last season, when main striker Diego Costa was injured or suspended, Conte opted to play a false-nine formation with Eden Hazard leading the line despite having Batshuayi available.
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