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Chelsea Manager Andre Villas-Boas Believes Team Are “On Course” After Dominant Champions League Performance

Stewart Flaherty, October 20 2011,
Chelsea cruised to a dominant 5-0 win over KRC Genk that included a brace from Spanish striker Fernando Torres.
Raul Meireles and Fernando Torres were both on the scoresheet for Chelsea against Genk.
Raul Meireles and Fernando Torres were both on the scoresheet for Chelsea against Genk.
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Raul Meireles, Branislav Ivanovic and Salomon Kalou also found the net as Chelsea stayed on top of UEFA Champions League Group E.

Torres showed an early sign of intent when he was released by Meireles only to divert his shot wide.

Meireles found himself un-pressured in the 8th minute in a central position, and punished Genk by firing home the opening goal past Laszlo Koteles.

Frank Lampard was soon involved three minutes later, when he also exploited space in midfield by feeding Torres to double Chelsea’s lead.

The Genk defense simply could not deal with the pace and movement of Torres, and he created a chance for Malouda, and also fired over himself before giving Chelsea a 3-0 lead at the 27 minute mark.

Nicolas Anelka played in Meireles, and the Portuguese midfielder whipped over a cross that Torres headed home for his second goal of the night.

Winger Kevin De Bruyn was working to get Genk back into the game, but a few unconverted crosses were as good as it got for the visitors.

Three minutes before half-time Branislav Ivanovic rose highest to meet a Florent Malouda free kick, and the Blues went into the locker room with a seemingly unassailable four goal lead.

Chelsea dominated possession during the second half, but for the first 20 minutes produced little other than long-range shots from Meireles, Kalou and Jose Bosingwa.

With 17 minutes Chelsea completed the 5-0 rout, when Bosingwa surged forward and crossed toward Torres. The Spanish striker’s header was saved by Koteles, but Kalou was on hand to prod home the rebound.

The win means Chelsea are heavy favorites to qualify from Group E. The Blues are currently top of the table with their next game being a rematch with Genk in Belgum.

A delighted Villas-Boas declared after the game that his team is on track to win some silverware come the end of the season. “At the moment we are on course to meet our objectives,” the Chelsea boss told BBC Sport. “The more important time will be the last three months of the season when you collide, or not, with trophies.”

LINEUPS

CHE – Cech, Ivanovic, Cole (Ferreira 46), David Luiz, Bosingwa (Alex 78), Romeu, Lampard (Kalou 68), Malouda, Meireles, Torres, Anelka.

GEN – Koteles, Masuero (Camus 46), Vanden Borre, Ngconga, Hyland, Tozser, Buffel, Pudil, Vossen (Nwanganga 81), De Bruyne, Barda (Dugary 70).

SCORING SUMMARY

CHE – Raul Meireles (Ashley Cole) 8’
CHE – Fernando Torres (Frank Lampard) 11’
CHE – Fernando Torres (Raul Meireles) 27’
CHE – Branislav Ivanovic (Florent Malouda) 42’
CHE – Salomon Kalou (Fernando Torres) 73’

LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Fernando Torres (Chelsea)

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