Chelsea's starting the second half with more spark than they even showed in the first, with a Ramires cross in the 47th minute leading to a Fernando Torres header put just over the bar. With neither side making halftime changes, Carlo Ancelotti is putting the emphasis on Torres to rebound after a poor first half.
In the 51st minute, Torres gave another indication that he was ready to do so. A ball fed through the right-center channel by Frank Lampard put Torres in the Fulham area with only Aaron Hughes between him and goal. In the first half, three similar situations led to no real threats on Mark Schwarzer. This time, Schwarzer went again untested, but in moving the ball from left foot to right to generate the needed space, Torres showed the control and confidence that had alluded him in the first half. His shot went well over the bar yet gave Blues supporters reason for hope.
Now, with Didier Drogba warming-up on the sidelines while Chelsea is starting to play with some fluidity, the possibility of the first half being no more than a poor 45 minutes is coming into focus. Nevermind the fact that poor halves are becoming disturbingly common for the Blues. The important thing today is getting three points and staying fourth in league. Now into the 54th minute, with Ramires just putting a speculative worm burner on goal, Chelsea finally looks like they have a goal in them.