When the teamsheets confirming Fernando Torres’ fitness spluttered out of the Stamford Bridge photocopier last weekend, it was a relief.

The Blues’ number nine had limped from the pitch in Bucharest at the start of the month with ligament trouble, just as he was finding form, pace and confidence.

Three weeks of rest, said the medics. But he was back on the bench against Cardiff in less than that, and came on as a sub in the 4-1 defeat of Malky Mackay’s men.

On Tuesday night, in his 100th start for Chelsea, the striker scored twice in the 3-0 away demolition of Schalke to restore the Blues’ Champions League fortunes.

Add in the fact that Samuel Eto’o found the net against Cardiff, and there is reason for optimism when Manchester City visit the Bridge on Sunday.

Torres is looking leaner, sharper and faster. As usual, it coincides with alterations to his barnet. A savage clipper crop seems to have made the Spanish forward more aerodynamic.

Perhaps David Luiz, who had a game to forget against the Welshmen last weekend, should take note. It might be time to lose the mattress stuffing.

The jury has been out so long on Luiz that it seems unlikely we’ll ever get a verdict.

Sometimes he looks dazzling as he surges upfield in attack, but all too often he has distracted, casual lapses, giving the ball away softly, or finding himself playing catch-up with attackers he is supposed to be marking.

He also has an unfortunate tendency to get booked for rash challenges… so much so that Jose Mourinho rushed to the touchline early in the second half against Cardiff to warn the centre back not to risk getting another yellow card by making a dangerous tackle after being dispossessed.

Then Mourinho himself was sent to sit in the stand as punishment for his strident pitchside observations.

Dull it isn’t.