Torres double helps Chelsea cruise past Genk

Fernando Torres scored two eye-catching goals as Chelsea FC eased to their biggest home win in the UEFA Champions League to consolidate their position at the top of Group E. It was a difficult night for a KRC Genk side who have yet to score in this season's competition and lacked any defensive organisation.

Two goals arrived inside 11 minutes, through Raul Meireles and the resurgent Torres who was delighted to be involved again amidst his domestic ban. The Spaniard made it 3-0 with a wonderful header and the scoreboard rolled on to four at half-time as Branislav Ivanović rose highest to turn in a Florent Malouda free-kick. Substitute Salomon Kalou added the fifth late on.

Torres gave an early hint of what was to come when he instantly controlled a ball over the top from Meireles. However, the striker's finish was a little tentative and the ball rolled to safety via the right-hand upright.

That was forgotten a minute later when Meireles picked up possession midway inside the Genk half and, allowed the freedom to size up his options, took aim from distance. His well-struck effort surprised László Köteles and the goalkeeper, perhaps unsighted, watched the shot fly past him into the bottom left-hand corner of his net.

While they struggled defensively, the visitors looked more promising going forward. Kevin De Bruyne was showing himself to be full of intent and good ideas down the left but the space between their defenders demanded punishment. In the 11th minute they were cut apart again when Frank Lampard played in Torres, and the Spanish international scored with ease.

Malouda could have added to the visitors' woe but missed the target, although Torres was more clinical soon afterward, finding the net with a sumptuous header after Meireles picked him out with a perfect delivery. The striker then turned provider with a cross for Lampard, yet the midfielder's aim was wayward.

Ivanović gave the visitors more food for thought at the interval with a towering header to make it 4-0, but at least they improved their possession statistics in the second half. Even so, Petr Čech was scarcely called into action. Malouda declined the invitation to be a record-breaker when shooting tamely at Köteles and it was left to substitute Salomon Kalou to add Chelsea's fifth after the keeper had parried from Torres.