Torres scores and then sees red for Chelsea

Man United remain top despite draw while London sides Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham all record victories.

Fernando Torres
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Torres has scored two goals for Chelsea but it has not been plain sailing for the Spaniard [GALLO/GETTY]

The mixed fortunes of Fernando Torres continued on Saturday as he scored Chelsea’s opener before being sent off ten minutes later during his team’s 4-1 thrashing of Swansea in the English Premier League.

While it was a disappointing way for Torres to end his day, it was a great result for Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas who has seen his team put in some gutsy performances over the last couple of weeks.

“With 10 men we never lost our will to attack and it paid off,” Villas Boas said.

“It was an important win based on the last defeat at Old Trafford and showed good resilience in the end after Wednesday to come back with a good result and a good display.”

In the early kick-off of the day Manchester City defeated Everton 2-0 to keep pressure on rivals Manchester United.

United now lead City on goal difference after Alex Ferguson’s team could only manage a 1-1 draw at Stoke. 

Results and fixtures

Saturday September 24

undefined Man City 2-0 Everton
undefined Arsenal 3-0 Bolton
undefined Chelsea 4-1 Swansea
undefined Liverpool 2-1 Wolves 
undefined Newcastle 3-1 Blackburn
undefined West Brom 0-0 Fulham
undefined Wigan 1-2 Tottenham
undefined Stoke 1-1 Man Utd

Sunday September 25

undefined QPR v Aston Villa

Peter Crouch’s equaliser ended United’s perfect start after Nani had given the Red Devils the lead after 26 minutes.

It proved a difficult afternoon for manager Ferguson who left injured striker Wayne Rooney out of his squad and then saw his partner in crime Javier Hernandez limp off early. 

At Stamford Bridge, Torres doubled his goal tally for the season when he chested down Juan Mata’s pass, turned and shot low into the corner in the 29th minute to put Chelsea ahead.

The Spain striker was involved in the buildup when Ramires made it 2-0 in the 36th, but was shown a straight red card three minutes later for a diving, two-footed tackle on Mark Gower.

It is the second time in a week Torres has gone from hero to villain. Last Sunday, the Spaniard scored a fantastic goal against Manchester United to then miss an easy open goal.

However, the loss of a temperamental Torres failed to derail Chelsea against Swansea and Ramires made the game safe in the 76th from Jose Bosingwa’s pass.

Ashley Williams headed in a late consolation for newly-promoted Swansea before substitute Didier Drogba scored his first goal of the season in the 79th from just inside the penalty area to make it 4-1.

Arsenal fans were given something to smile about after the London side defeated 10-man Bolton 3-0 with two goals from captain Robin van Persie, easing the pressure on the Gunners after a terrible start to their Premier League season.

Van Persie drilled a shot past Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen at his near post after just 36 seconds of the second half.

The Dutchman’s second – his 100th goal for Arsenal – came in the 71st minute when he nudged the ball in off his left shin in front of goal after a cross from Theo Walcott. Alex Song added a third in the 89th. 

Three on the bounce

The Gunners’ London rivals Tottenham also took all three points after a 2-1 win at Wigan.

Early goals by Netherlands playmaker Rafael van der Vaart and Wales winger Gareth Bale clinched Tottenham’s third straight victory for Harry Redknapp’s team in the Premier League.

Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor capitalised on woeful defending by Maynor Figueroa to set up Van der Vaart for the opener in the third minute, before Bale glanced home Luka Modric’s corner 20 minutes later.

Mohamed Diame blasted a low finish into the bottom corner in the 50th to bring Wigan back into the game but Steve Gohouri’s 63rd-minute sending off for a second bookable offense hampered the hosts’ chances of an equaliser.

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     Arsenal fans cheered Van Persie as he recorded his 99th and 100th goals for the club [GETTY] 

England midfielder Steven Gerrard came off the bench in the 81st minute for his first Premier League match since March as Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 on Saturday.

Gerrard had a 25 meter attempt on goal with a dipping volley which bounced wide at Anfield.

Earlier, an own goal in the 11th from Wolves’ Roger Johnson – heading in Charlie Adam’s shot – and another impressive strike by Luis Suarez in the 38th gave Liverpool a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime.

Steven Fletcher pulled one back early in the second half but Liverpool held on to end a two-match losing run. 

Unbeaten Newcastle continued their superb start to the season with a 3-1 win over Blackburn.

Senegal striker Demba Ba grabbed a hat-trick during his sixth appearance for the club with Junior Hoilett scoring for the visitors. The win moves the Toon Army up to fourth place in the table and makes Alan Pardew’s side the surprise package of the season so far.    

On the back of positive performances against Man City in the Premier League and Chelsea in the League Cup, Fulham had to settle with just the point in a 0-0 draw at West Brom. 

Source: News Agencies