Conte hails potential ‘great striker’ Morata after Chelsea hat-trick

So who stood out in Antonio Conte’s team at the bet365 Stadium?

Conte’s stand-off with Costa had proved an unwelcome distraction this season after the Chelsea forward was told by the Italian that he was no longer part of his plans.

His impressive form has also helped Conte deflect endless questions about Diego Costa, who on Thursday was confirmed as returning to Atletico Madrid on loan in January with a commitment to buy for £58m next summer after spending three months in acrimonious exile in Brazil.

“I think we have to be focused at what we do and not [on] others”, said Conte.

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola experienced underwhelming first years at United and City respectively but Neville believes both sides have progressed since the end of last season and expects them to vye for honours this term.

But that run of results has left them third bottom of the table – and fans are already getting anxious after seeing their Club not replace Romelu Lukaku – only scoring two league goals in the process.

“Now it is very important to prepare”.

“We deserved to win the game”. They won against Arsenal and then they drew against Man United. We face a hard game against Stoke now and we have to be ready for it’.

Antonio Conte’s side came into the game on the back of a 0-0 stalemate at home to Arsenal.

Pedro will play despite limping out of the Arsenal clash with an ankle injury.

He said: ‘For sure it will be a really tough game.

Pedro added a fine second on the half-hour mark before Morata stole the show in the second half with two more to add some gloss to the scoreline. “Now we have to play three games, and it’s possible to pick him for these games”.

“But I think the wider picture you have to look at what is happening elsewhere at the moment because obviously there aren’t any clear European sales to these kind of partners at the moment”. Indeed, as Conte pointed out, the hungry Morata is only going to get better. A good test, a good challenge for us, for all my squad’.