Frank Lampard's first goal at Stamford Bridge against his former club West Ham would normally be the highlight of a win such as Chelsea's on Saturday. Normally however it wouldn't have been followed by a strike as newsworthy as the one Fernando Torres scored late in the second half.

Not only did the Spaniard bring to an end a story that has dominated talk before and after every Chelsea game for the past two months, he also put distance between Chelsea and a Hammers side that had threatened to score a damaging equaliser. The vice-captain was not alone in sharing in the joy and relief that came with the Torres goal, the sixth the striker has scored against West Ham in Premier League matches.

“When you come for £50million and you are a renowned, world-class striker then the spotlight is really on. We all have barren patches. I have had World Cups when I couldn't score and people get on you and as a striker he will be judged by his goals.”

“No-one is made of stone and it does affect you in small ways. It certainly affects me if I don't score for a few games. You think twice instead of doing things that are normally instinctive. I don't know if that is where he has been but he has had a lot of misfortune in games.”
“Fernando is a quiet lad and he hasn't said anything when he has been on the bench. He has come on and given everything and it was always going to be a matter of time. The fans have been behind him, they have been brilliant with him and it was a well-taken, trademark goal, running through with his pace and power.”

“The celebration from the players was off the cuff. That has been building up and we knew without saying it that if he did score then he would get that reaction because he has been a good lad. I think now you are going to see him fly, whether it be the last few games of this season or next season. You can't change quality and you can't change a world-class player.”