Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata maintains his impressive form with a goal for Spain as he continues to promote his Fantasy CV.
Here are the notes from Saturday’s international fixtures.
Morata the merrier
Alvaro Morata needed just 18 minutes to confirm his continued fine early-season form as Spain completed a convincing 3-0 win over fellow European football royalty Italy.
The Chelsea striker had to make do with a place on the bench as coach Julen Lopetegui opted to play with no recognised forwards at all, preferring instead to use Man City midfielder David Silva as a ‘false nine’.
But when Morata finally made it onto the pitch, he made an immediate impact, scoring Spain’s third goal a mere five minutes after replacing Andres Iniesta.
The strike means that he now has three goals and two assists from four matches this season, explaining why only Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino is ahead of him in the Fantasy Premier League forwards standings.
It was widely anticipated that Morata would take time to adjust to his new surrounds at Chelsea; a theory that clearly played a part in deciding a modest 12.5% ownership.
Chelsea’s tough opening schedule also dampened early enthusiasm – the Blues have already played Spurs and Everton and still have to face Arsenal and Man City, albeit both at home, before Gameweek 7 is done.
But after their shock opening day defeat to Burnley, Antonio Conte’s side are starting to look every inch the defending champions, and Morata has clearly settled into his new role as their spearhead.
His goal and assist returns in both home matches to this point have sparked massive interest. More than 196,000 FPL managers have drafted in the Spaniard and, with 40,000+ making the direct trade, Morata has proved the most popular Harry Kane replacement ahead of Gameweek 4.
Of the strikers with two or more goals this season, only Romelu Lukaku can better his attempts (9), his minutes per chance average (20.9) and penalty box touches (15), while he and Firmino are the only strikers with two assists.
With Eden Hazard closing in on full fitness, Chelsea’s attacking threat – and supply line for Morata – is surely only going to improve, even if the Belgian is likely to regain penalty duties.
And based on current form, the forthcoming visit from Arsenal is not the test of old, which makes the Blues’ short-term schedule more palatable – (lei ARS sto MCI cry WAT bou), Man City notwithstanding.
Should he be given the chance to make hay in Spain’s Tuesday night trip to Liechtenstein, Morata will return to domestic duty for Gameweek 4 with form on his side, Hazard potentially supplying chances and with the fixtures more favourable than anticipated.
Elsewhere…
On a quiet night for Premier League players, Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn’s superb winner for Wales against Austria demonstrated the wealth of attacking options available to Jurgen Klopp.
Elsewhere in that encounter, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey shook off doubts surrounding his fitness to play 90 minutes.
Returning to Liverpool, Sadio Mane played the full 90 minutes as Senegal were held to a goalless home draw with Burkina Faso. They will now play the reverse fixture – a vital clash for the Senegalese – on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Man United centre-half Eric Bailly supplied an assist in Ivory Coast’s 3-0 win in Gabon. Spurs’ Serge Aurier completed 90 minutes for the visitors.
Brighton defender Shane Duffy gave the Republic of Ireland the lead in Georgia, only for Martin O’Neill’s men to have to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Newcastle United’s suspended striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored for the third match running in all competitions as Serbia beat Moldova 3-0, with Man United’s Nemanja Matic playing 77 minutes for the hosts.
Finally, Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson managed a second consecutive full 90 minutes of the season, but couldn’t stop Iceland slumping to a 1-0 defeat in Finland.
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