Blues wobble not down to Torres, insists Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti has insisted Chelsea's record-breaking signing of Fernando Torres was not to blame for the end of the mini-revival.

The champions appeared to have put their worst run in the league for almost 15 years behind them at the start of 2011, winning three games in a row to climb back into the Champions League spots, but the capture of 50 million man Torres has coincided with a winless - and scoreless - two matches.

Torres flopped on his debut against former club Liverpool and was arguably even worse at Fulham on Monday night. But Ancelotti was adamant yesterday that the Spain striker's arrival had not been disruptive, saying: "It is not the fault of Fernando, obviously. I think that he needs to have time. In my opinion, he played well for 60 minutes against Fulham. He had two or three opportunities. He didn't score but he will score, obviously."

Torres will miss out today when Chelsea host Everton in their FA Cup fourth-round replay as the Spaniard is cup-tied. Didier Drogba will instead return to lead the line and will have a point to prove after being axed at Craven Cottage. Ancelotti said: "Didier had a very good reaction during the week, he trained well without problem, with motivation. He wants to play a good game tomorrow."

Today's cup tie and Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 first leg at FC Copenhagen could provide a welcome distraction for Chelsea from their league travails.