In-form striker excited about run-in

Fernando Torres insisted he is finally returning to his best form after hitting his first Chelsea hat-trick in the comprehensive 6-1 victory over QPR that moved Roberto Di Matteo’s side to within one point of fourth place ahead of their meeting with Newcastle on Wednesday.

Torres followed up his midweek goal in Barcelona to take his tally to seven goals since the turn of the year.

“It was a different feeling I had in the past because I was feeling very good, with fitness and feeling sharp, but I couldn’t score,” he said.