Chelsea will go into their UEFA Europa League
quarter-final second leg against Rubin Kazan
next week with a healthy 3-1 advantage
thanks in large to a brace from Fernando
Torres.
The beleaguered Spanish forward bundled
home the opening goal of the night early on
before Victor Moses lashed in a stunning
second. However, the visitors pulled one back
when John Terry was penalised by referee
Gianluca Rocchi for handball.
Bebars Natcho made no mistake from the
spot, sending Petr Cech the wrong way four
minutes from the break.
Torres though bagged his second of the
night with 20 minutes remaining as he
climbed high to head the ball past Sergey
Ryzhikov after a fine delivery from Juan Mata.
Rafa Benitez's side will head to the Luzhniki
Stadium - scene of their 2008 Champions
League final penalty shootout defeat to
Manchester United - in the hope of sealing a
spot in the last four, but the away goal could
yet have a crucial bearing on the outcome.
The Blues were patient in the opening 15
minutes before the direct route paid off when
David Luiz's ball from deep found Torres and
the Spaniard managed to sneak in behind
Rubin captain Roman Sharonov and the pair
fell tussling for the ball. Torres managed to
connect while sitting on the floor to prod the
ball in for his third goal in 23 games.
The goal lifted Chelsea and the striker, who
was confident enough to attempt an
audacious cross soon afterwards which did
not quite come off. Natcho tested Petr Cech
from 25 yards for the visitors before Chelsea
doubled their advantage.
Cesar Azpilicueta crossed from the right and
Moses' bouncing header was well saved, but
the ball came back to the forward, who struck
a swerving half-volley into the top corner.
There was a moment of concern for Chelsea
when Cech caught Vladimir Dyadyun with an
elbow when meeting a long ball before
referee Gianluca Rocchi pointed to the penalty
spot after Cristian Ansaldi's shot hit Terry on
the arm.
Terry's arm appeared to be in a natural
position when the ball struck it, but he was
booked and Natcho sent Cech the wrong way
to claim a potentially crucial away goal to the
delight of a group of around 50 visiting
supporters.
Ansaldi shot a yard wide from 30 yards as the
visitors finished the half on the attack before
bringing Jose Rondon on at half-time for
Dyadyun.
Juan Mata might have restored Chelsea's two-
goal lead early in the second half, but his low
shot was well saved by Sergei Ryzhikov.
Rondon then shot narrowly wide as Chelsea -
and the match - desperately needed a lift.
Terry attempted to provide a spark by
running from deep before Eden Hazard was
introduced for Moses with 25 minutes
remaining. A flick from Benayoun, who might
have made way for Hazard, enabled Chelsea to
surge forward as he found his former
Liverpool team-mate Torres.
Torres checked, found Lampard, who in turn
fed Mata, who was given time to cross. Mata
found his compatriot and Torres converted
with a powerful header.
Chants for Jose Mourinho filled the cool
London air, but it is Benitez's Chelsea who go
to Moscow next week seeking to reach the
last four. http://m.skysports.com/article/football//8617776