Torres burst into the West Ham area, turned and drilled a low left-foot shot into the corner of Robert Green's net after 84 minutes at a rain-soaked Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish striker had come under intense scrutiny after failing to find the net in almost 15 hours of football despite Chelsea's paying a British transfer record and gt;50m to sign him from Liverpool in January.

England midfielder Frank Lampard gave Chelsea the lead in the 44th minute and Florent Malouda wrapped up the victory in injury time.

The home side, though, rode its luck at times against bottom club West Ham, who missed glorious chances through Freddie Sears, Carlton Cole and substitute Robbie Keane.