Torres back on song

07 November 2010 18:30
Fernando Torres produced a striker's masterclass to score twice as Liverpool won 2-0 to inflict only a second defeat of the season on Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea. The Spain international has a liking for playing the Londoners at Anfield, as his six goals in five matches against them at home shows. It took just 11 minutes for him to reopen old wounds with a classic piece of finishing courtesy of a cross from Dirk Kuyt, making a welcome return after a month's absence with an ankle injury, on the left. The Dutchman chipped a pass over the head of John Terry and Torres took one touch before firing past Petr Cech. Torres did not give the keeper any chance with his second just before half-time with a strike even better than his opener and reminiscent of his first ever goal for the club - also against Chelsea. Meireles dispossessed Ashley Cole in the centre and rolled the ball out to the Spaniard on the left of the penalty area. Cutting inside he curled a shot around Branislav Ivanovic and inside Terry and the far post. Didier Drogba's arrival for the start of the second half was inevitable but his first shooting opportunity saw him curl a 30-yard free-kick well wide. Ramires headed over and Zhirkov's shot was turned around the post by Pepe Reina, who also produced a brilliant close-range stop to deny Florent Malouda. Kuyt almost wrapped things up 15 minutes from time only for Petr Cech's outstretched leg to divert the ball wide. Chelsea knew it was not to be their day when Nicolas Anelka's shot squeezed under Reina, whose slight touch deflected the ball up on to the bar and then Jamie Carragher cleared from the lurking Drogba two yards out.

Source: PA