Two more headed goals in wins over Everton and Leicester ensured the Spaniard had netted in three of his first four Premier League appearances as his aerial prowess became more apparent with each game

At the end of September we won 4-0 away at Stoke City, an afternoon on which Morata, who was superb, scored a hat-trick. The striker broke the deadlock after just two minutes with a calm finish but the pick of the goals was his second, a wonderful clipped finish after bursting forward from just inside the home side’s half

It was another header from Morata which instigated a Champions League comeback against Atletico, and early in November he powered home the winner against Manchester United at the Bridge. The assist for that goal came from the boot of Morata’s compatriot Cesar Azpilicueta, a recurring theme throughout the first half of 2017/18.

By the turn of the year, Morata had scored 12 times, although injury problems disrupted his start to 2018.

