Long upstages Torres, but Chelsea have the final say

SHANE LONG or Fernando Torres?

If you had to make a choice between the young Irish striker and the Spanish superstar, who would not go for Torres, one of the world’s most recognisable players?

Long hardly gets a second glance but that may change now he has showed that he can score regularly in the Premier League.

A goal on his debut for West Brom against Manchester United last week was followed up with another strike at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. That total of two in two is already twice the return from Torres since Chelsea splashed out a British record £50m on him in January, and the Spaniard hardly looked like adding to his meagre tally against West Brom.

Andre Villas-Boas started with Torres as the spearhead of a three-man attack, but had to switch from 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation well before half time as Chelsea struggled to make any headway against a solid Baggies backline.

It didn’t get any better for Torres, who barely had a sniff of goal before being replaced by Didier Drogba on the hour, which coincided with Chelsea starting to exert real pressure on Albion, resulting in Florent Malouda’s late winning goal.

Yet until Nicolas Anelka’s 53rd-minute equaliser cancelled out Long’s fourth-minute opening goal it looked like Roy Hodgson’s side might cause an upset.

Chelsea fans booed their team at half time as Villas-Boas trudged to the dressing room with plenty to ponder.

“The boos? It is normal,” said a relieved Villas-Boas after a difficult first home game as manager. “Last year I was whistled at Porto and the season ended with four trophies and no more boos. It’s just a natural reaction from a demanding public. It’s nothing new.”

Long, meanwhile, has begun brightly under Hodgson. With goals against Manchester United and Chelsea, the Baggies marksmen is doing everything expected of him. It’s just a shame for him his input has not proved pivotal.

“It’s the results that matter but it’s nice to get the two goals, obviously — it’s just a pity they didn’t get us points on the board,” Long said.

“We can take a lot of positives from the last two games but we need to start learning from them as well and start turning the good games into results.

“It’s disappointing because we are playing very well and luck is going against us and I think that’s why big teams like Chelsea and Manchester United do so well in the league, because they grind out results and get three points when it matters.

“We need to start learning from the likes of them so if we do go 1-0 up we hold onto it and at least get one point.”

Despite a goalless draw at Stoke and a scruffy win at West Brom Villas-Boas is too concerned yet.

He added: “You have seen what has happened. I mean, Liverpool drew their first game. They won at Arsenal. Arsenal drew their first game and they lose at home. Manchester United found it difficult to win against West Brom too.”

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Hilario 6, Bosingwa 6, Terry 6, Alex 6, Cole 7; Ramires 6, Lampard 6, Mikel 6; Anelka 7, Torres 5, Kalou 5.

Subs: Malouda 6 for Kalou 35, Drogba 6 for Torres 59, Ivanovic 6 for Alex 66

WEST BROM (4-4-2): Foster 8; Reid 6, Tamas 7, Olsson 7 Shorey 6; Brunt 6, Scharner 6, Mulumbu 6, Morrison 7; Long 8, Tchoyi 6.

Subs: Odemwingie 6 for Tchoyi 75, Dorrans 6 for Mulumbu 87

Referee: Lee Mason 6.