Chelsea 3 Rubin Kazan 1: Benítez sings Torres’ praises after win

Rafael Benítez is hoping Fernando Torres’ two-goal haul against Rubin Kazan will spark a scoring run for the striker after Chelsea beat Rubin Kazan at Stamford Bridge.

Torres, who had managed just one goal in 2013 ahead of the Europa League quarter-final, gave the Blues the lead in the 16th minute, before Victor Moses made it 2-0 after half an hour.

Bibras Natkho’s 41st-minute penalty handed Rubin some hope after John Terry was adjudged to have handled in the box.

But Torres capped off a man-of-the-match display to net a third in the 70th minute to give the Blues a solid advantage heading into next weekend’s return leg in Russia.

“It is good for his confidence but his work-rate was also really good so I am really pleased for him,” said the Chelsea interim boss.

“He trains really well every day so it was just a question of time. He scored two today and hopefully it will be the same in the next game.”

Reflecting on the game as a whole, the Spaniard added: “It could be better but I can’t change things now.

“The penalty was harsh but you cannot change these decisions, so you have to carry on and score a third goal, we did that but I was expecting a fourth goal.

“It has to be more difficult [in the second leg] because they will be attacking and attacking but we have quality in our team.”

Captain Terry felt he was hard done by after conceding the spot-kick – but nevertheless expected Chelsea to net a fourth.

“It was a good night, a good result but the tie is certainly not over,” said Terry.

“I was disappointed with the penalty. I didn’t think it was a penalty. It’s very important we got the third goal and it’s unlucky we didn’t get a fourth.”

He added: “It was a good second goal by Fernando and hopefully it will give him a lot of confidence.”