Chelsea 2 - Everton 0: Alvaro Morata shines against woeful Toffees

ANTONIO CONTE can be satisfied his Chelsea side head into the international break having put the shock of their opening-day defeat to Burnley behind them.

Chelsea v Everton match report Alvaro MorataGETTY

Chelsea star Alvaro Morata scored the second against Everton

Now the Chelsea manager will expect the club’s board to do their bit and deliver the signings he insists he needs to maintain the club’s challenge.

Against a poor Everton side apparently worn down by the demands of a testing week, Chelsea produced the kind of confident display expected from reigning champions.

First-half goals from the excellent Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata gave the home side an advantage they never looked like losing.

But Conte has repeatedly said his squad lacks sufficient depth and he has struggled to contain his frustration at the lack of new faces coming in.

“Don’t forget next month we have to play seven games,” he said. “I need to rotate.

“I think the club is working very hard to strengthen. They know very well our situation.

“But I repeat, I am ready in every case to continue to work with this group of players, with the players we have.” A midfielder remains a priority with Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Drinkwater on the wish-list. 

Alvaro Morata scores for ChelseaGETTY

Alvaro Morata heads in to double Chelsea's lead

Business will have to be done briskly though Everton manager Ronald Koeman said no bid had yet been received for Barkley.

But Conte said: “I am totally committed to the club. I am a coach, not a manager. I think the best of my work is on the pitch.

“Then, for sure, when you want to strengthen, you have to give your opinion and speak with your club, but then the club goes into the transfer market.

“Sometimes it’s not possible. But I must be focused with things on the pitch.”

Conte has spoken to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez and is now happy for Eden Hazard to join up with his country’s squad despite his recent injury. And whatever concerns he

may have about his bench, Conte saw a first-half display that underlined the strength of his starting XI.

Fabregas capped a fine passing move when he slotted home after a one-two with Morata.

Then Morata was left unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box to head in Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross.

Everton offered little by way of response and appeared drained after their visit to Manchester City on Monday and Thursday’s trip to Croatia to face Hajduk Split.

It took until the final moments before Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois was forced to make a save of note when he tipped over Idrissa Gueye’s long-range shot.

“It’s too much: City, Hajduk and Chelsea,” said Koeman. “But reaching the group stage in the Europa League is what we want, and a point from

City and Chelsea away is not too bad.”

Koeman also wants at least two new recruits before Thursday’s transfer deadline, with a striker his priority, although he was vague when it was suggested he might sign Chelsea’s Diego Costa on loan.

He said: “I don’t know. We are looking to the players who are maybe available. If we sign somebody, it’s somebody to make the team better. I don’t speak about names of players.”

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