Torres’ rise no surprise

Juan Mata watched Fernando Torres continue his rehabilitation in a Chelsea shirt before reminding the striker’s doubters: I told you so.

While many gave up on Torres ever coming good at Stamford Bridge, Mata never lost faith that his fellow Spaniard would eventually begin to justify his record-breaking £50 million price tag.

And the last week and a half have proven him right, with Torres netting in three successive matches for the first time in his Chelsea career, bagging five goals in all.