The ?50million man had not found the net for 901 minutes for club and country, 732 for the champions since joining them almost three months ago, but it took him just eight minutes to do so after coming off the bench.
Nicolas Anelka's through ball played the Spaniard in and the ball held up in a puddle but that proved a blessing in disguise as Torres swivelled and curled home left-footed.
The jubilant Spaniard was mobbed by his team-mates after scoring in a victory that moved Chelsea back to within six points of Manchester United, with Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda also among the goals. Blues produced their best move of the game to take the lead, Didier Drogba threading in Ashley Cole whose low cross was smashed home by Lampard.
David Luiz smashed a long-ranger against the crossbar, while Robbie Keane really should have levelled 16 minutes from time when Jonathan Spector's through ball left him with just Petr Cech to beat but he blazed wide.
Torres struck and then played a part in Chelsea's stoppage-time third, which Malouda lashed into the roof of the net.
Source: PA
Source: PA