28 October,2013 01:22 AM IST | | AFP
Fernando Torres' perseverance was rewarded when his last-minute goal saw Chelsea to a 2-1 win at home to title rivals Manchester City on Sunday that catapulted the London club into second place in the Premier League table.
Chelsea's Fernando Torres (in blue) scores against Manchester City during their English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London yesterday. Chelsea won 2-1. Pic/AFP
The match was heading for a draw when, after Willian had helped the ball forward, a mix-up saw City defender Matija Nastasic head the ball past his own keeper, Joe Hart, with the onrushing Torres turning the ball into an empty net to the delight of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Torres' winner left Chelsea just two points behind leaders Arsenal and atoned for his dramatic 29th minute miss when, with the match still goalless, he somehow shot over the bar from 10 yards out.
The Spain striker turned provider for Chelsea's 33rd minute opener when his run and cross from the right set up Andre Schurrle, who from a mere four yards out, eased the ball in for his first Chelsea goal.
Torres then almost made it 2-0 when, from some 20 yards wide out on the left, he managed to fire in a shot that clipped the angle of the far post and bar.
Chelsea's failure to make the most of their early dominance caught up soon enough. Just about four minutes after half-time in fact, when, having been played in by Frenchman Samir Nasri, Aguero let fly with a swerving left-foot shot that beat a static Petr Cech at his near post.
