Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata forced off in first half of Manchester City clash due to hamstring injury

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Chelsea have suffered a major blow after Alvaro Morata was forced off injured in their Premier League clash with Manchester City.

The Spanish striker has made an excellent start to his career in England since arriving in the summer. He has scored seven goals in eight games so far.

However around the half hour mark against City he suffered a hamstring injury and indicated to the bench he wanted to come off. He was replaced by Willian. 

Chelsea have suffered a major blow after Alvaro Morata was forced off injured v Man City

Morata told the Chelsea bench around half an hour in that he was unable to continue playing

The £55million striker, who has started the season brilliantly, was replaced by Willian

Morata looked in serious discomfort, and went over to the technical area to ask to be substituted, with manager Antonio Conte reluctantly obliging.

Chelsea have been reliant on Morata, a £55m signing from Real Madrid in the summer, for their goals this season.

Such is Chelsea's lack of alternative firepower, they were forced to bring on an attacking midfielder, Willian, to replace Morata. 

The striker (centre of image) looked in serious discomfort off the ball during the game

Morata was forced to limp off, leaving the champions having to find another source of goals

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte sent on an attacking midfielder, Willian, to replace Morata

After the game, Conte said he does not expect Morata to be out long term, saying it was a 'muscular problem'.

He said: 'I don't think it's a serious problem because he stopped before it will become a serious injury.

'He said to me, "I prefer to stop myself otherwise I risk a bad injury". The doctor now in the next days has to check the situation, but I don't think he's available for the national team.'