MORATA DISPLAYS TO LUMBERING LUKAKU WHAT IT REALLY IS TO BE NO.9

Given the protracted summer transfer saga involving Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku which saw the former end up at Chelsea and the latter at Manchester United, it appeared inevitable that their first meeting would polarise their respective values in one way or another.  

And on Sunday at Stamford Bridge it was Morata who showed Lukaku how to snap a goalless streak with a quality display of forward play, scoring the only goal in Chelsea’s 1-0 win while Lukaku stretched his run without a goal to 567 minutes.

Morata’s wonderful header from Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross in the 55th minute settled a fascinating contest between two of England’s biggest clubs, and it was no coincidence that it came at a time when United had been struggling to clear their lines for any significant period of time.

Morata’s was a display of truly traditional No.9 forward play. With his back to goal he was an absorbing presence, taking the ball in his stride whatever the pressure around him and buying Chelsea valuable time in possession. And when it mattered he also had the final say in front of goal.