Ancelotti defends embattled Torres

CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti has insisted record-breaking signing Fernando Torres is not to blame for the end of the club’s mini-revival that has seen them once again marooned outside the Premier League’s top four.

The champions appeared to have put their worst league run for almost 15 years behind them at the start of 2011, winning three games in a row to climb back into the Champions League spots and spark suggestions they could make a late dash in the title race.

But the capture of £50million man Torres has coincided with a winless – and scoreless – two matches that has all but killed off the Blues’ hopes of retaining their crown and seen them slip to fifth.