Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3: Torres has found confidence and belief – Benítez

Rafael Benítez believes Fernando Torres has rediscovered some of the confidence that had deserted him in recent months after the striker’s brace helped Chelsea to victory at Sunderland.

The Spaniard gave Chelsea the lead in the 11th minute at the Stadium of Light, before doubling the Blues’ advantage from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.

Juan Mata then made the points secure for the west Londoners after the break, with Adam Johnson netting a consolation for Martin O’Neill’s men.

Torres’ double means he has scored four goals in his last two games and Benítez feels the striker is gradually getting back to his best.

“I said before that if the team play well and create chances he will score goals,” said the Chelsea interim boss.

“It’s fair to say that we are watching a Torres with more confidence and belief. I was analysing his movements and adjusting a few things. It’s a question of confidence and differences in movements. The most important thing is that he appears confident.”

The victory is Benítez’s first in the league since take over from Roberto Di Matteo at Stamford Bridge last month.

And the former Liverpool coach was delighted with the result, which keeps them in third place in the Premier League table.

“It’s always important to win,” he said. “We need to show what we’d been doing in training on the pitch, and if we do, the confidence of the team will be fantastic. To win in the manner we have in the last two games, with a lot of security, is fantastic.

“I wasn’t thinking about the competition, I was pleased the other day with the 6-1 win and the way that we played until the end.

“Today we showed the team has a clear idea what they want to do, and I felt they did really well.”