Fernando Torres was the centrepiece of an entertaining first half between Chelsea and Manchester City this afternoon.

The Spaniard missed a sitter before setting up the one and only goal and then crashing a thunderous shot against the crossbar.

Chelsea started the better and had a clear opening inside the first three minutes when Oscar clipped to the back post where Gary Cahill, who was completely unmarked and appeared to think that he was offside, swiped a volley over the bar.

City came back into the game with Sergio Aguero and David Silva looking most likely to create a chance, but they couldn't break down the Blues' backline.

Chelsea had a golden opportunity to go in front when Ramires found Torres who volleyed over with only Joe Hart to beat.

The Spaniard atoned for his miss moments later when he set up the opening goal by beating Gael Clichy for pace down the right before firing across goal for Andre Schurrle to tap in from a yard or so.

Five minutes later the Chelsea number nine almost made it two in spectacular fashion when he fired a snap-shot from a tight angle that flew past Hart but came back off the underside of the bar.

Aguero worked Petr Cech for the first time three minutes before the interval with a shot from a tight angle that was beaten away by Czech keeper.