Fernando Torres netted his first Premier League goals in nine matches to give Chelsea a comfortable half-time lead over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
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Eden Hazard felt that he should have had a second-minute penalty when Sebastian Larsson pulled him back inside the area, but referee Mark Halsey was unmoved.
In an electric start from the visitors, Torres could have scored prior to his opener when his close-range effort was blocked by Simon Mignolet.
However, he was not to be denied moments later when his smart first-time finish from Hazard's cross flew ended a barren run that stretched back to October 6.
Oriol Romeu limped off with injury during the opening 45 minutes and was replaced by Oscar, despite the returning Frank Lampard being among the Blues substitutes.
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Larsson would not escape unpunished a second time when he fouled Ramires in the period's latter stages, and Torres capped off a dominant first-half Chelsea display when he confidently converted from the spot.
