Maurizio Sarri says Alvaro Morata needs to overcome his 'fragile' mentality if the Chelsea striker is to match the likes of Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero in the scoring charts.

Morata netted twice in this 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, but should have secured his hat-trick in stoppage time when left one on one with Wayne Hennessey.

The 26-year-old Spaniard tried to chip the Palace goalkeeper, who denied him the match ball, and Sarri said afterwards: 'He is a little bit fragile, from the mental point of view.

Alvaro Morata was joyous on Sunday afternoon as he netted a brace against Crystal Palace

The Spanish forward answered his critics with a man of the match display in the London derby

But boss Maurizio Sarri urged Morata to overcome the 'fragile' mentality that has troubled him

'Alvaro has improved in the last month. Improved for the confidence, improved for the personality, improved also from the technical point of view. Now he is able to play more with the team.

'But I think, also, that Alvaro has a very great physical and technical potential, so I think he can improve more.'

On keeping up with Kane and Aguero, Sarri continued: 'For Alvaro, the goal has to be a consequence. He has to play for the team, with his mates, without thinking about goals. Goals are usually consequence of teamwork.'

Chelsea moved into second in the table behind Manchester City with this win. Sarri also equaled a Premier League record by extending his unbeaten start in the top flight to 11 matches.

With the game level, Morata produced a low finish to get his - and Chelsea's - second goal

Sarri wants Morata to battle with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane in the scoring chart

'The record is not one of the coach, but of the team,' Sarri said. 'I was lucky. At the beginning, we knew very well that there was a gap (to City). There was a gap last season, 30 points.

'I hope to recover almost all the gap, but I don't know. It's very difficult to recover 30 points in six months, but we are trying.'

Palace have not won since September. Manager Roy Hodgson said: 'We were rarely outside the relegation zone last season but ended up 11th.

'We've missed chances, yes, and been a bit unlucky, yes. We don't have as many points as we should have, yes. But let's see where we are after 38 games.'