Torres tastes defeat on Blues debut

Fernando Torres
12 April 2012

Fernando Torres' much-anticipated Chelsea debut ended in disappointment for player and club as Raul Meireles sealed a memorable 1-0 win for the Spaniard's former Liverpool team-mates.

Meireles hooked home from close range after 68 minutes to take the game - and probably any lingering title aspirations - from the big-spending Blues.

It was a different story for £50million Torres though, with the most expensive player in British football history hauled off after 65 unremarkable minutes.

The game was little more than a minute old when Torres had his first sight of Liverpool's goal, courtesy of a mislaid pass from Maxi Rodriguez. The Spaniard took a couple of touches towards the edge of the area before aiming for the top corner, but there was too much elevation on the shot.

Carlo Ancelotti called time on his debut by sending on Salomon Kalou.

The Reds took the lead soon after, Steven Gerrard breaking down the right and whipping a ball into the centre that neither Petr Cech nor Branislav Ivanovic came to meet. The ball evaded Dirk Kuyt but Meireles was rewarded for his supporting run and hooked the ball home with aplomb.

Didier Drogba tested Jose Reina at the near post as Ancelotti's men attempted to rescue both the game and their title challenge.

Liverpool had chances on the counter, substitute Fabio Aurelio hammering one at Cech's near post and drawing a smart save.

The Blues became increasingly frenzied in their attempts to draw level and the first appearance of new £20million signing David Luiz, as a replacement, passed by almost unnoticed.

Ivanovic appealed for a penalty as injury-time began, but the officials were rightly uninterested.

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