Chelsea 5-0 Genk: Clinical Torres destroys Belgian champions

Chelsea hammered Genk 5-0 in a ruthless performance highlighted by the clinical finishing of Fernando Torres. The Spanish striker scored a  brace after Raul Meirles’ opener, before Branislav Ivanovic and Salomon Kalou added to the comfortable victory as former Barcelona B player, Oriol Romeu made his first Champions League start for the club.

Fernando Torres looks on as his header makes it 3-0 to Chelsea

Straight from the outset, if you look at Chelsea stats, they dominated proceedings. Statistics don’t always tell the full story, but nothing can be argued about the Premier League runners-up bossing possession throughout the game as well as having far superior pass accuracy.

Meirles scored as early as the 8^th minute when he caught the Genk goalkeeper off guard as one of his defenders hindered his view of play. Therefore the Portuguese midfielder drilled his 25 yard effort accurately into Laszlo Koteles’ bottom right corner before the shot-stopper could even react.

Torres doubled their advantage just three minutes later after latching onto Frank Lampard’s through-ball. The ex-Liverpool man curled his fine finish under the hapless goalie’s body as the Genk defence disintegrated.

The forward then doubled his own tally and make it 3-0 to the home side thanks to a teasing delivery from the right wing. Torres’ movement made himself the opportunity before he was able to glance the ball into the far corner with a finish reminiscent of his lethal days spent at Anfield several seasons ago.

Ivanovic was able to make it 4-0 in the 42^nd minute after he met Florent Malouda’s set-piece with the slightest of touches. The Serbian defender rose highest to meet the cross and it flew into the back of the net.

After the interval, Chelsea understandably took their foot off the gas but their dominance continued as Genk looked dazed after the concession of four first-half strikes. Chances weren’t plentiful this half for the hosts’ but they could still dictate the pace and tempo of the contest.

Salomon Kalou’s introduction with 20 minutes remaining breathed new life into Chelsea’s attack as he was eager to make an impression given the fine form displayed by Torres in the past few games. The Ivorian forward was full of running when he came on and he got his rewards in the 72^nd minute to help wrap up the win.

Jose Bosingwa’s cross was diverted straight at the Genk custodian but Kalou was on hand to rifle home the rebound to ensure the scoreline reflected the command Chelsea had on the entire game.

Andre Villas-Boas was in a more buoyant mood than usual at the post-match press conference after watching his Chelsea team crush Genk

Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, said after the match he felt Torres was low on confidence during his barren spell in front of goal previously.

”It was never a question of Fernando not being in form. It’s just important for players to feel confident, and  he’s feeling confident in his abilities now. He was always on form.”

The 2008 finalists now sit top of group E with seven points from three games. Andre Villas-Boas will be hoping to edge ever-closer to sealing their place in the knock-out stages of the competition with another win away to the Belgian champions.

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