Chelsea 5-0 Genk: Fernando Torres hits form with classy double as rampant Blues extend Group E lead

Chelsea continued their unbeaten streak in the Champions League with a 5-0 victory over Genk as Fernando Torres scored twice on his return to the side.

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Goals from Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles and a late strike from Soloman Kalou sealed a comfortable win for the Blues as they stay top of Group E.

It was a match in which Torres silenced his critics as he played with a new found confidence, looking like the man who was once widely labeled as one of the best strikers in the world. 

Andre Villas-Boas made six changes to the team he fielded against Everton: John Terry and strikers Didier Drogba, Juan Mata and Daniel Strurridge were all rested, while David Luiz, Frank Lampard, Torres and Champions League debutant Oriol Romeu all started.

Chelsea began the game confidently; dominating possession, playing intricate passes and leaving Genk with little hope from the get go.

After seven minutes, Meireles dinked a great ball into Torres, who controlled well but hit the post to start what many thought would be another frustrating night for the Spaniard. But moments later, Meireles found himself completely unchallenged and hit a cleanly struck shot from 25-yards into the bottom left hand corner - leaving Genk keeper Laszlo Koteles with no chance.

A few minutes later, Torres finally ended his Champions League goal-drought for Chelsea after he was put through by Lampard. The Spaniard finished calmly, slotting the ball to the keeper's bottom left.

Notheless, Genk's Kevin De Bruyne looked lively down the left flank for the Belgium charges, causing Chelsea problems with his creativity and flare. However, his team-mates failed to capitalise on the chances he created.

Chelsea came agonisingly close to a third goal when Torres burst down the left flank into the box and set up Malouda, but the Frenchman failed to take advantage of the opportunity as he side-passed the ball inches wide of the post.

But the game was effectively over within 30 minutes as Torres’ exceptional movement saw him clinically head the ball past Koteles for his second goal. Meireles’ cross was met with a confident header, as the Blues striker guided the ball past the keeper.

Torres then almost turned provider as he crossed the ball with the outside of his boot to Lampard, but the stand-in captain headed wide.

Five minutes before half time, Torres released Lampard who fed the ball to Nicolas Anelka but the Frenchman shot with too much power and his effort soared over the bar.

Stampede Bridge | Former Liverpool stars Meireles & Torres score in Chelsea rout

Genk’s misfortune was then accentuated as Daniel Pudil tripped Anelka outside the box earning himself a yellow card and a one-match suspension. The Blues took advantage of the free kick as Malouda crossed a scintillating ball into the box and Ivanovic leaped above his marker to head the ball past the keeper.

Chelsea continued where they left off after half time, dictating the play as Genk looked increasingly uncomfortable and evidently second best.

Malouda was the next Chelsea player to squander an opportunity as he shot straight at the keeper after finding himself one-on-one with Koteles, while a host of his fellow team-mates were free inside the box.

Lampard was then tripped inside the box in what looked like a clear-cut penalty but, determined to score, the midfielder quickly got up but was then dispossessed before he could increase the host's lead.

Genk’s 3,000 odd supporters continued to back their team throughout as Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure in an evidently one sided encounter.

Kalou was eager to make an impression on the game, having conceded a costly stoppage time penalty in the away draw with Valencia, and looked energetic after replacing Lampard with 20 minutes remaining. And he would make the impact he craved soon enough.

Kalou then found the net to complete a resounding victory for Villas-Boas men. A Jose Bosingwa cross was met by Torres but the striker blew his chance of a hat-trick, only for the lively substitute to tap home to compete Chelsea's 5-0 rout.