Football: Di Matteo backs Torres to shine

Chelsea striker contributes brace in FA Cup win over Leicester.

LONDON:

Roberto Di Matteo believes Fernando Torres can finally put his miserable run behind him after the Chelsea striker ended his goal drought in the Blues’ 5-2 win over Leicester.

Torres had gone five months without a goal since he last found the back of the net against Genk in October, but the Spaniard was back on the scoresheet with a double in the club’s FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.

It might only have been a mid-table Championship side providing the opposition but, after going 25 hours and 41 minutes of playing time without a goal, Torres was not complaining as his scuffed 67th-minute finish and an 86th-minute header eased Chelsea’s path into the semi-finals.

Blues interim boss Di Matteo hopes the much-maligned star - who has scored only seven goals in 13 months at Chelsea - will be able to use the confidence boost to silence the critics who have dubbed him a £50 million flop.

“I thought Fernando had a terrific game,” said Di Matteo. “I think the whole team and all the supporters are happy for him because he works so hard.

“I didn’t mind when he wasn’t scoring because as long as we win that is all that matters. But hopefully his confidence is going to be very high now.”

Andre Villas-Boas appeared to grow increasingly frustrated with Torres during his brief reign as Chelsea boss and the player’s confidence dwindled as a result.

But Di Matteo has made a point of speaking to Torres in a bid to boost his morale and, while it is too early to hail a return to top form, this was at least a first glimpse of a revival.

“He’s not only a good player, but a good guy. I’ve a lot of belief in him.

“I have been speaking individually to all the players and that includes him.”

Dalglish pleased with win

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was pleased after the League Cup winners booked their second visit of the season to Wembley with a 2-1 quarter-final win over Stoke at Anfield.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, curling the ball into the bottom corner after a neat one-two with Maxi Rodriguez.

It took Stoke just three minutes to equalise with former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch nodding in Matthew Etherington’s corner before Stewart Downing’s second-half effort, just his second goal for Liverpool, secured victory.

“I think it was a fantastic performance in many ways for us,” Dalglish added. “It showed what it meant to them to get through this tie.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2012.