STOKE -- Antonio Conte praised Alvaro Morata for rising to the physical challenge of the Premier League after the striker scored his first Chelsea hat trick in a 4-0 rout of Stoke City.
Morata opened the scoring in the second minute at the bet365 Stadium and netted twice in quick succession after the interval to take his tally this season to six goals in his first six Premier League matches, as Chelsea delivered an emphatic reminder of the defensive strength and ruthless finishing that made them champions in 2016-17.
Following last weekend's goalless draw with Arsenal it was suggested that Morata might be struggling with the aggression of defenders and the different style of refereeing in England, but Conte singled out the Spain international's physicality after the Stoke win.