Torres getting back to best - Cech

The Spain international started Sunday's goalless draw at Stoke as the centre-forward in a 4-3-3 formation with both Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka on the bench.

Although he could not add to his tally of just one goal in 18 previous appearances since his £50million January move from Liverpool, the 27-year-old showed flashes of the player who scored 50 goals in just 64 league matches for the Merseysiders. Cech said: "It has made a huge difference that he had a pre-season with us."

He added: "Sometimes when you come for such a huge amount of money to a different team and city everything changes and there is a lot of pressure.

"He had some injuries last season and it was not the ideal situation for him but you could see he was settling well every week.

"Now he has got to know the players and the way that we play.

"He had a really good game against Stoke and he deserved to get a goal.

"He was close on a few occasions, he created space and chances for the others.

"I thought Fernando was brilliant up front and it was just a pity we did not convert our chances.

"It was great to see."

Source: PA

Source: PA