Fernando Torres Chelsea
Fernando Torres's goal in the 75th minute lifted Chelsea to a 2-1 victory over Cardiff City. Reuters

Down for the majority of the match, Andre Schurrle provided the equalizer and assisted Fernando Torres with the winner in the final 18 minutes of play in Chelsea’s 2-1 comeback victory over Cardiff on Saturday to close the Premier League campaign.

The victory secured third place on the table for Chelsea, while Cardiff could only hoped to spoil the Blues final game as their relegation was certain. Chelsea had a chance for second place, but Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Newcastle dashed those hopes.

The Blues gave up a goal to Cardiff midfielder Craig Bellamy in the 15th minute, a powerful left-footed strike from deep outside the box to the bottom right corner of the net following Peter Whittingham’s assist.

After defender Cesar Azpilicueta’s shot clanked off the crossbar, Chelsea recovered with Schurrle firing a right-footed shot to the high center of the net for a 1-1 score in the 72nd minute. Schurrle ends the year with eight goals in his first Premier League campaign.

Making a rare start, it was Torres who ended the Blues term with a victory by converting Schurrle’s header pass into a goal in front of the net in the 75th minute. It was the fifth goal of the year for Torres and only Schurrle’s second assist.

Considering the discrepancy in shots and possession, it was only a matter of time until Chelsea created the right opportunities. The Blues fired off 28 total shots with seven on target, compared to 10 shots and four on target for Cardiff.

Of the three yellow cards issued, Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel’s was the first in the 33rd minute, followed by Whittingham in the 51st and the Blues Nemanja Matic in the 88th.

Cardiff City 1-2 Chelsea All Goals & Highlights...by All_Goals