Fernando Torres has expressed his delight and relief after breaking his scoring duck in Chelsea's 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.
The Spanish striker, who cost Chelsea £50 million when he joined from Liverpool in January, had been the subject of intense scrutiny after 732 minutes and 14 games without a goal for his new club.
It sparked scenes of jubilation at a wet Stamford Bridge as the Spaniard was mobbed by his team-mates.
"It was not the beginning I was expecting when I signed, but it's not easy to go in January or February," Torres told ESPN.
"I kept working and it's thanks to all my team-mates that I scored. There's less pressure for me now, now I can enjoy it.
"The pitch was not the best to score the goal, but football is like this."
Torres dedicated his goal to the Chelsea supporters who stuck by him during his lean spell.
He added: "The fans have been very patient with me. I had more and more anxiety for them than for me.
"Hopefully this is the first of many."
And Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed Torres' goal will herald a new beginning for the striker.
He said: "It was perfect today. Everyone waited for Fernando to score and he scored.
"For him it will be a new life. I think he will have a fantastic future here in this club.
"The big problem was he came in to a new club and it was not easy to find a relationship with the new team-mates and the play but now the bad moments have gone."
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| Fernando Torres celebrates after scoring his first ever Chelsea goal Photo: AP |
The Spanish striker, who cost Chelsea £50 million when he joined from Liverpool in January, had been the subject of intense scrutiny after 732 minutes and 14 games without a goal for his new club.
But it took him just eight minutes to end his goal drought after coming off the bench in the second half.
It sparked scenes of jubilation at a wet Stamford Bridge as the Spaniard was mobbed by his team-mates.
"It was not the beginning I was expecting when I signed, but it's not easy to go in January or February," Torres told ESPN.
"I kept working and it's thanks to all my team-mates that I scored. There's less pressure for me now, now I can enjoy it.
"The pitch was not the best to score the goal, but football is like this."
Torres dedicated his goal to the Chelsea supporters who stuck by him during his lean spell.
He added: "The fans have been very patient with me. I had more and more anxiety for them than for me.
"Hopefully this is the first of many."
And Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed Torres' goal will herald a new beginning for the striker.
He said: "It was perfect today. Everyone waited for Fernando to score and he scored.
"For him it will be a new life. I think he will have a fantastic future here in this club.
"The big problem was he came in to a new club and it was not easy to find a relationship with the new team-mates and the play but now the bad moments have gone."
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
