Boss backs double hero Morata to get even better

MAURIZIO SARRI says Alvaro Morata needs to overcome his ‘fragile’ mentality if the Chelsea striker is to match the likes of Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero in the scoring charts. Morata scored twice in this 3-1 win over Crystal Palace but should have secured his hat-trick in stoppage time when left one on one with Wayne Hennessey. The 26-year-old Spaniard tried to chip the Palace goalkeeper, who denied him the match ball, and Sarri said afterwards: ‘He is a little bit fragile, from the mental point of view. ‘Alvaro improved the last month. Improved for the confidence, improved for the personality, improved also from the technical point of view. Now he is able to play more with the team. ‘But I think, also, that Alvaro has a very great physical and technical potential, so I think he can improve more.’ On keeping up with Kane and Aguero, Sarri continued: ‘For Alvaro, the goal has to be a consequence. He has to play for the team, with his mates, without thinking about goals. Goals are usually the consequence of teamwork.’ Chelsea moved into second behind Manchester City with this win. Sarri also equalled a Premier League record for a new manager by extending his unbeaten start in the top flight to 11 matches. ‘The record is not one of the coach, but of the team,’ Sarri said. ‘I was lucky. At the beginning, we knew very well that there was a gap (to City). There was a gap last season, 30 points.’ Palace manager Roy Hodgson said: ‘We were rarely outside the relegation zone last season but ended up 11th. We’ve missed chances, yes, and been a bit unlucky, yes. We don’t have as many points as we should have, yes. But let’s see where we are after 38 games.’