Premier League review:Fernando Torres scored his first Chelsea goal as the Londoners closed the gap on Manchester United to six points. The league leaders moved nine ahead with a 1-0 win over Everton earlier today, but Chelsea didn't flinch under pressure and kept themselves in the hunt with a flattering 3-0 win over West Ham.
The €55 million man had not found the net for 901 minutes for club and country, 732 for the champions since joining them almost three months ago, but it took him just eight minutes to do so after coming off the bench today.
The jubilant Spaniard was mobbed by his team-mates after scoring in a victory that moved Chelsea back to within six points of Manchester United, with Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda also among the goals.
Arsenal, who are third, face Bolton tomorrow.
At Old Trafford, Javier Hernandez rose at the far post to nod home Antonio Valencia’s cross in the 84th minute. Alex Ferguson’s side had been frustrated by an impressive Everton performance for 84 minutes with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar also called upon to keep his side in it.
However, six minutes from time Hernandez scored his 19th of a very impressive debut season to seal the points.
Simon Cox's equaliser with nine minutes left earned West Broma 2-2 draw at Tottenhamand dented the hosts' top-four hopes at White Hart Lane.
Peter Odemwingie gave West Brom a shock fifth-minute lead with a typically composed strike but it was level when some slack defending allowed Roman Pavlyuchenko to steady himself and rifle a low shot home.
A similarly expert strike from Jermain Defoe handed Spurs the lead in the 66th minute but substitute Cox’s superbly curled shot earned the Baggies a deserved draw.
Spurs’ rivals for a top-four place, Manchester City, play Blackburn on Monday.
Maxi Rodriguez scored a hat-trick as Liverpoolbreezed to a 5-0 win over Birmingham.
In the seventh minute the winger capitalised on Ben Foster’s mistake, stabbing home when the England goalkeeper spilled Jay Spearing’s shot.
It was 2-0 when Dirk Kuyt forced the ball home after two saves by Foster — who subsequently went off injured.
Maxi wrapped it up with two more strikes and Joe Cole added a fifth after some shocking defending from the Blues.
Andy Johnson earned Fulhama 1-1 draw at Molineux to leave relegation-threatened Wolvesbitterly disappointed.
Steven Fletcher’s header gave Wolves a 1-0 lead they looked like holding onto until Johnson’s intervention, Bobby Zamora holding the ball up brilliantly for his diminutive partner to fire home.
Sunderlandrecovered from a poor start to beat Wigan4-2.
Wigan’s Mohamed Diame smashed home an unstoppable strike seven minutes into the second half but Sunderland levelled immediately when Steed Malbranque’s inch-perfect cross was headed in by Asamoah Gyan.
In the 69th minute Jordan Henderson slammed home before Stephane Sessegnon put the result seemingly beyond doubt with a penalty after being fouled by Antolin Alcaraz. Henderson then added the fourth before Franco Di Santo pulled one back.
Blackpooland Newcastlecancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Road.
Newcastle led after a clinical low finish by Peter Lovenkrands 17 minutes in but Blackpool equalised through DJ Campbell in the 32nd minute, when he glanced home despite Jose Enrique’s attempted headed clearance on the line.
Aston Villaand Stokedrew 1-1 at Villa Park.
Stoke produced a trademark goal to lead as Rory Delap launched the ball in from a throw-in and Kenwyne Jones glanced home.
However, Villa were level before the break as Kyle Walker crossed for Darren Bent to steer home with his head before a goalless second half.
