Torres back in the old routine

The hope generated in the final seconds at the Camp Nou last Wednesday was not misplaced.

Fernando Torres’s decline has provided morbid viewing for over a year but the sideshow, it seems, is over, after the Chelsea striker followed up his midweek strike with a hat-trick that recalled the forward at his Liverpool best.

Buoyant following that memorable triumph over Barcelona that secured Chelsea’s place in the Champions League final, Roberto Di Matteo’s side maintained the revival that has transformed their season with Torres’ goals adding another dimension to a comprehensive victory that confirmed the club is on the rise after moving to within one point of fourth place.