In many ways this was a glimpse of what awaits Chelsea in the new year: Thursday night football played to a murmur of noise and in front swathes of empty seats, and against opponents who appeared cowed by the whole experience. Yet, if the prospect of the Europa League fails to stir the senses as yet, a final in the Fifa Club World Cup on Sunday and the sight of Fernando Torres as a regular goalscorer should have the juices flowing.
This proved a stroll against Monterrey, the Mexican opposition deflated by the opening exchanges of the second period and pedestrian throughout, such a comfortable victory probably as therapeutic as their trip to the bowling alley to drive any lingering jet lag from the system. The Brazilian champions, Corinthians, will provide a sterner test in the final though they will confront a team whose conviction is rapidly returning. Those who booed whenever his image flickered across the big screens would shudder at the suggestion, and this was a mismatch that made judgment far from easy, but Rafael Benítez may slowly be having an effect.
Torres confirmed as much in the aftermath here. The striker has reason to be supportive of his compatriot's involvement at Stamford Bridge given their association from their Liverpool days, but the reality is the forward is looking spritely again. Fed with regular opportunities, he has scored five in his last three matches, his best scoring sequence since joining the club almost two years ago.
"As a team we're getting better and, individually, I feel much better now, scoring consistently," said Torres. "We're working better both defensively and offensively. It's about the team. We have had a hard time this season but, since Rafa Benítez came in as a coach, it is coming together and we are showing more determination."
That could be perceived as unfair on Roberto Di Matteo, whose name was chanted as normal around this arena in the 16th minute, but the reality is none of Torres's previous Chelsea managers‚ Carlo Ancelotti, André Villas-Boas or Di Matteo‚ has managed to coax consistency from the £50m striker. Benítez felt like Roman Abramovich's last throw of the dice and, albeit still early on and not yet against real pedigree, there are signs of progress.
The forward's reward here came within 19 seconds of the restart, a deflected finish over Jonathan Orozco doubling Chelsea's lead. As impressive was his dart and centre moments later, Juan Mata gathering at the far post to fire back across goal with Dárvin Chávez putting into his own net.
"That [improvement] is down to him and his team-mates, not me," said Benítez. "He's doing well. He's a bit sharper, has more confidence and the team's playing well. It's a run, and that's good for him and good for us. Hopefully it will continue. If we continue creating chances, he'll carry on scoring. We haven't done too much differently with him. We've analysed his movement and fitness, but it's more that he has more confidence so it's easier for him when the team creates a chance to score. And the team is creating more chances, which means he'll have more opportunities to score."
They generated plenty here, their lead established relatively early on when Oscar's clever backheel sent Ashley Cole scurrying into space, the full-back glancing up and then slipping a fine pass infield for the excellent Mata. The Spaniard was unmarked and took a touch before finishing classily beyond Orozco, his celebration a six-fingered salute to the absent No6, Oriol Romeu, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Thereafter, Chelsea stifled Monterrey's ability to respond with David Luiz restored to his childhood role in central midfield, presence disrupted the Mexicans' rhythm.
The Brazilian was dominant, his deployment at the base of midfield apparently a one-off, though Benítez will have been offered food for thought given Romeu's prolonged absence ahead of the transfer window next month. Frank Lampard replaced Luiz for the latter stages and was a reassuring presence against outclassed opposition, even if Aldo de Nigris's consolation did have Benítez chuntering his disapproval in the post-match assessment.
"When I talk about a winning mentality, always I talk about little details making the difference," he added. "The team has to think about winning, winning in style and not conceding because the goalkeeper likes clean sheets. They have to keep their concentration right to the end of the 90 minutes."
Such craving for perfection is forged partly on his memories of losing this competition with Liverpool back in 2005, when his team dominated São Paulo in the final, had three goals disallowed, struck the crossbar and ended up succumbing 1-0. Lessons must be learned from that disappointment, but the chance to claim a trophy beckons this weekend.
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