TORRES: HITTING TARGETS

It wasn’t just the fact Chelsea collected three points to stay top of the league and he scored the opener that had Fernando Torres smiling at the end of the 2-1 win at Arsenal. It was also the calibre of the opposition overcome.

This was the first league derby win away from home since the he joined the club, and matched already last season’s total of one league win against the sides that finished in the first four places.

‘We knew before the game that we wanted to improve the results we had last season against the top teams,’ said Torres. ‘One of the main targets we have this season was winning these kind of games. For us to win against the top teams is very important because not having very good results against them last season was one of the reasons why we didn’t finish in the top four.

‘This was the first big test against a top team and we were able to get the three points and for that we should be proud.’

Torres’s goal was the result of him reaching Juan Mata’s free-kick with a volley while Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny was badly positioned.

‘It was a one-against-one against Koscielny and he wasn’t facing the ball, so I could touch the ball before he could put the ball away,’ analysed the scorer. ‘It was important because it gave us more time to settle into the game and I was very happy as well for Mata’s goal, two Spaniards scoring against Arsenal and keeping us at the top.

‘We have to improve more but all the attacking players are great players between the lines. We need to add more consistency in the system and for that we are training every day, but we can see in games like this we are improving. Arsenal are a great team with the ball but we could get the ball a lot of the time and this is the best way to defend.’

It is often suggested that Chelsea are changing in a way that will get the best out of Torres but the centre-forward explained that he is changing too to help get the best from the team.

‘I am enjoying it more this season with the kind of players I have in the middle behind me,’ he said. ‘It is giving me a lot of support and I hope to improve, trying to create more chances for the team. I don’t shoot on goal too much but even with this I am scoring goals so the team is going to improve – not just me, everyone.

‘With this different style of football we are playing this season we are at the top of the league and we can dream of a very good season again.

‘I had a very difficult beginning at Chelsea but that is in the past now, and I am enjoying the present with a great group of players and we are building a big team.’

Goalscorers Fernando Torres and Juan Mata spoke to Chelsea TV after the game. A clip can be viewed above for the full interviews available now via the channel’s online access.

They can also be seen on Weekend Review on Monday evening on Chelsea TV, Sky Digital channel 421.

Join Chelsea TV online for a chance to win a VIP experience which includes the below prizes for the winner and a friend. Click for more information.

– Meet a ‘mystery player’ in the Chelsea TV studio (autograph and photograph opportunity)
– Watch a player phone-in behind-the-scenes in the Chelsea TV gallery
– Dinner at Marco’s
– Stay at Copthorne Hotel with breakfast

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