Former Chelsea midfielder Pat Nevin hails Fernando Torres for breaking his duck: His pace and movement was superb throughout drought

Fernando Torres, Chelsea (Getty Images)

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Former Chelsea midfielder Pat Nevin has lavished praise on Fernando Torres after he finally found the net for his new club.

The Spaniard made a move to Stamford Bridge after a record £50 million fee had been agreed with Liverpool. But his start in London was far from ideal, as the forward went several games without hitting the back of the net.

But the World Cup winner recently managed to score his first goal for manager Carlo Ancelotti during the game against West Ham United, which was played under difficult weather conditions.

“I have been a lone voice in many a press room and radio conversation these last few months saying that Fernando Torres has been playing very well since he arrived,” Nevin wrote in a column for the club’s official website.

“His pace has been fantastic and most importantly his movement for me has been superb. The balls just haven’t always arrived.

“Well not only did he score but anyone suggesting he had lost his pace (and there have been a few of them too) should also have another look at the way he glided over the rain-soaked surface like a water skier behind a power boat.

“Even the ball sticking in the mud couldn’t put him off his inaugural goal, it actually in fact made it all the more memorable because it delayed the moment yet again, this time by only a few seconds though.”

Nevin now hopes that the Spaniard will go on a goalscoring run for his club, and said: “I suspect there will now be a goal flow steadier than the rainfall at the Bridge on Saturday evening.”