Chelsea respond to Torres’ arrival in style

Chelsea react to Fernando Torres’s record-breaking arrival with 4-2 win away to Sunderland.

SUNDERLAND: Chelsea reacted to Fernando Torres’s record-breaking arrival with a 4-2 win away to Sunderland.

Torres joined the faltering title-holders in a British record £50 million move from Liverpool on Monday’s transfer deadline day. And if Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was looking for a response from Nicolas Anelka, he got it with the French forward – one of four scorers in a match which also featured a resurgent display from Didier Drogba.

Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou, John Terry and Anelka were all on target against a Sunderland side who went in 2-2 at half-time thanks to goals from Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson. Ancelotti’s side remain 10 points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Torres is expected to make his Stamford Bridge debut on Sunday against Liverpool. “Fernando has fantastic ability,” said Ancelotti. “With his quality, he will have no difficulty playing with us. He will have no problem playing with Drogba or another striker.

“It’s not a problem, it doesn’t change a lot with the diamond in midfield. Our shape won’t change very much.”

Ancelotti will have one problem, however, as he decides who should make way for Torres. Drogba and Kalou combined well together in a twin strike force supported by Anelka playing behind them. “Nicolas did very well in that position,” said Ancelotti. “I was very happy with his performance. He is very dangerous in that position and it was very difficult for Sunderland to mark. He can play there.”

Ferguson lauds Rooney

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney has finally rediscovered his scoring touch after the England striker netted twice in Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

Rooney opened the scoring with less than a minute gone before adding a second just before half time. Bent pulled one back for Villa just before the hour but Nemanja Vidic fired in United’s third five minutes later.

“Goals always help strikers who still have the appetite to play and that’s the important factor in it all – that he never stops trying,” said Ferguson. “He can’t be criticised when he gives that effort. He gets his rewards eventually.”

Moyes lashes out at Fabregas

David Moyes said that Cesc Fabregas should have been sent-off for his “disgusting” comments about the officials during the Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Everton. Everton led 1-0 at half-time thanks to a Louis Saha goal that the club’s manager Moyes readily conceded was offside.

Arsenal reacted furiously when the goal was given by referee Lee Mason, following consultation with a linesman, and Moyes said Fabregas was lucky to play the second half after letting fly at the interval. “Cesc Fabregas should have been sent-off for his comments about the officials coming out of the tunnel,” said Moyes. “It was disgusting. His comments were deserving of a sending-off.”

Late goals from Andrey Arshavin and Laurent Koscielny helped secure Arsenal’s win.

In the other Premier League match, a late header from Marc-Antoine Fortune rescued a point for West Brom in their crucial relegation clash with Wigan which saw it finish 2-2.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2011.