Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that he was pleased with the performance of Fernando Torres during the club's match with Sparta Prague on Thursday night.

Torres missed several clear chances as Chelsea were forced to rely on a last-minute Eden Hazard goal to seal their progress in the Europa League, but Benitez was impressed with the Spanish striker's contribution to the team.

Benitez told London24: "He didn't play badly. You can analyse a striker for the number of goals he scores. Maybe you're right. But he did a great job for the team tonight.

"It's not easy against a team playing deep, but he was winning the ball in the air, bringing options for those around him.

"I thought he was playing well. I disagree he was playing badly. But of course we want him to take the chances that come his way."

Chelsea will play Romanian side Steaua Bucharest in the last 16 of the competition.