Billy the Kee to Burton victory

Billy the Kee to Burton victory

Published Dec. 10, 2012 6:15 a.m. ET

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has credited new boss Rafa Benitez with his sudden renaissance.

Torres scored twice in Saturday's 3-1 win at Sunderland to end a drought of more than 12 hours without a Premier League goal, with that brace following another in the 6-1 Champions League mauling of Nordsjaelland in midweek.

Benitez has endured a frosty reception from fans angered by Roberto Di Matteo's sacking last month but Torres, who prospered under the Spaniard's guidance at Liverpool, believes the new man is drawing better value from the side's attacking wealth.

"We are playing a bit differently," Torres told Chelsea's official website.

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"We don't pass the ball as much as we did before in the final third of the pitch and we try to play more direct and explode the players forward with Victor Moses or me or Eden Hazard on the left.

"We are using the quality of Oscar or (Juan) Mata in the middle and we are attacking more and making more chances.

"Normally it takes some time when a new manager arrives and changes things like this, but the results last Wednesday and on Saturday are going to give us more confidence, the only thing we need now."

It took Kee only 10 minutes to find the net from 10 yards after a crisp exchange of passes with fellow striker Calvin Zola inside the box.

Accrington looked much the brighter team in the first half, but Burton had chances to increase their lead in a burst of pressure.

Skipper Zander Diamond could only poke a Kee flick straight at goalkeeper Paul Rachubka and the defender also heading narrowly wide after stealing on the end of a Chris Palmer free-kick.

Kee also went close with a 15-yard shot, while Stanley were unable to turn their superior possession into scoring opportunities.

After the break, Burton goalkeeper Dean Lyness had to back-pedal to tip a huge clearance from his opposite number over the crossbar and also did well to push a skidding Luke Joyce shot round a post.

Zola had a chance to increase Burton's lead, but was denied by Rachubka's one-handed save.

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