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Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata faces several weeks out with grade two hamstring injury

The striker has made an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge and has already scored seven goals, but now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines

Tuesday 03 October 2017 10:19 BST

Morata could miss several important matches (Getty)

Spain and Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata's hamstring problem could leave him sidelined for several weeks after tests with the national team revealed he has a grade two tear.

Morata had an MRI scan on Sunday after limping off during Chelsea's 1-0 Premier League home defeat by Manchester City on Saturday. According to British media reports on Tuesday, the injury could keep him out for at least six weeks.

Spain manager Julian Lopetegui on Monday called up 36-year-old Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz to replace Morata, with the Blues forward missing Spain's final World Cup 2018 qualifying matches against Albania and Israel.

Spain are also missing injured duo Andres Iniesta of Barcelona and Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid, replaced by Las Palmas' Jonathan Viera and Real Sociedad's Avaro Odriozola, as the Group G leaders bid to earn a place at the finals in Russia.

The Spaniards are three points clear of second-placed Italy with just the two rounds of matches remaining.

Chelsea signed Morata from Real Madrid in the close season and the striker has flourished at Stamford Bridge, with seven goals in nine appearances for Antonio Conte's champions.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

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1/23Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Thibaut Courtois - 4

Horrendous mistake for the first goal, completely mistiming his punch. Was solid in every other part of his game but matches of this magnitude are often won and lost on the small details.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Branislav Ivanovic - 6

Terrible first half performance that included three terrible errors that, fortunately for Chelsea, went unpunished. Made up for that with a brilliant pass to find Hazard for the goal and was much better after half-time.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

John Terry - 7

Made one bad error when he got underneath a long ball to allow Aguero through on goal but again proved he is the best English defender out there.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Kurt Zouma - 8

Still has huge room for improvement but the 20-year-old has all the tools to become one of the very best in the world. Deserves to be keeping England's first-choice centre-back on the sidelines.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Cesar Azpilicueta - 5

Jesus Navas had the better of his compatriot all evening. Azpilicueta was beaten in a way Chelsea fans have not often seen.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Nemanja Matic - 8

Stepped up his game in the absence of Fabregas to put in a complete midfield performance. Truly great on and off the ball, the giant Serbian was the best player on the park.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Ramires - 7

Held his position well as the holding midfielder and only made the occasional burst forward, Ramires was very good but its hard to argue that the Blues missed the wizardry of Cesc Fabregas.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Willian - 5

Hassled and harried his way through the 90 minutes, Willian was excellent in the defensive and middle thirds of the field but produced little to nothing in areas where he could do damage. Set-pieces delivery was also poor.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Oscar - 6

Another who failed to produce in the final third, Oscar played deeper than he has done for the most part this season which blunted his effectiveness

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Eden Hazard - 6

Brilliant in the first 45, causing all sorts of problems for Bacary Sagna but was extremely quiet after the break as City closed off the space around the dangerous Belgian.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Loic Remy - 7

Was brilliant in the lone striker role, holding the ball up well to bring his team-mates into the game. Great movement to find space for the goal, it was a shame for Chelsea that the trio behind him starved the striker of service.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Joe Hart - 6

Nothing he could do about the goal and was hardly tested otherwise by the home side. Looked reasonably solid throughout, bar one dodgy kick.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Bacary Sagna - 6

Struggled in the first half against Hazard but grew into it as it went on, to snuff out the Hazard threat. Combined excellently with Jesus Navas. Lost Hazard for the goal.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Vincent Kompany - 7

Defender manfully, though he wasn't always the most comfrotable in possession. In truth, Chelsea didn't offer much threat.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Martin Demichelis - 7

Had an excellent match but went to sleep to allow Loic Remy to steal into yards of space for the goal.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Gael Clichy - 8

Didn't put a foot wrong on the left and never gave Willian the chance to do anything of note in the final third. Offered a good outlet going forward as well.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Fernandinho - 7

Was one of the best City performers with a display full of energy and purpose. Pushed the visitors forward, passed well and was not averse to stopping Chelsea by any means necessary.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Fernando - 7

Gave Matic as good as he got in midfield and provided the City defence with superb cover throughout the game.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Jesus Navas - 7

Gave Cesar Azpilicueta the hardest game he's played all season but for all the occasions he beat his opposite number he failed to deliver that telling ball.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

James Milner - 7

Barely troubled Ivanovic as an attacking force but you can't downplay his importance to the City cause as a worker and defender.

Getty

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

David Silva - 7

Was not able to offer his usual craft when in possession as he was well marshalled by Matic and Ramires, but got an absolutely vital touch to turn Aguero's shot past Ivanovic.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Sergio Aguero - 5

Five games since returning from injury and the usually lethal striker is misfiring. Latched on to a Terry mistake to race through on goal for a chance that a pre-injury Aguero would have tucked away - he fired wide.

Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Frank Lampard - 5

The stage looked set for another Lampard goal against his former club but it was not to be. Given a great ovation at the end from his former supporters.

Getty Images

If Morata's worst fears are confirmed he will miss both of Chelsea's Champions League group stage matches against AS Roma and several Premier League games, including the home clash with Manchester United on Nov. 5.

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