Ancelotti optimistic on Torres future

Carlo Ancelotti predicted a ‘fantastic future’ for Fernando Torres after the 50-million-pound striker finally scored his first Chelsea goal.

Torres came off the bench to claim the second goal in a 3-0 win over West Ham in the English Premier League on Saturday.

The Spain international had been the subject of intense scrutiny during a long barren spell following his big-money move from Liverpool in January.

And it was relief all round after the 27-year-old opened his Blues account with a well-taken finish in the 84th minute at Stamford Bridge.

“It was perfect today,” Chelsea manager Ancelotti said.

“Everyone waited for Fernando to score and he scored.”

“For him it will be a new life. I think he will have a fantastic future here in this club.”

“The big problem was he came in to a new club and it was not easy to find a relationship with the new team-mates and the play but now the bad moments have gone.”

Chelsea’s victory keeps them second in the table, six points behind league leaders Manchester United.

With four matches remaining, including a trip to face United at Old Trafford, reigning champions Chelsea remain in with a slim chance of retaining their title.

“They are six points ahead, that’s a good gap (for United),” Ancelotti said.

“We have to keep trying to do our best and believe something can happen.”

West Ham manager Avram Grant was in good spirits despite his side’s fourth-straight loss keeping them anchored to the bottom of the table.

“There was a lot of belief and we created chances. We defended well and the spirit was very good,” Grant said.

“We played a very difficult team. Chelsea are in their best shape of the season and we deserved more today.”

“Everybody said that we would come to Chelsea and they would beat us easily. We came here and everyone saw that we deserved more from this game.”

Grant also offered his support to Torres, who broke his long goal-scoring drought since joining the club.

“I’ve known Fernando a long time. I like this guy, I think he’s a great player,” Grant said.

“He’s not in a good moment but he will be good for Chelsea.”