In his 14th game for Chelsea, after being denied by posts, spectacular saves and offside flags, Fernando Torres finally scored.

On a rain-sodden field at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Torres ran onto a through ball and when a puddle slowed down his prepatory touch, he instead swiveled to push the ball in the other direction and strike a left-footer for Chelsea's second goal in a 3-0 defeat of West Ham United.

A delirious dog-pile ensued, with all Chelsea players on the field save keeper Petr Cech joining the growing heap after Torres' celebratory knee slide came to a stop near the corner flag. Not at issue were his run of goalless games, the $80 million price tag, and Chelsea's loss to Manchester United in the Champions League quarterfinals along with pursuit of it in the Premier League race.

"He's come on and given everything," says captain Frank Lampard, whose own return to form has helped push Chelsea within six points of United with four games to play. "Now you're going to see him fly, whether that's in the remaining games of this season or next."