Fernando Torres’s controversial late goal proved decisive as Chelsea staged a second half recovery to secure a 4-2 Premier League victory over promoted Reading at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Torres converted from close range with nine minutes remaining — but television replays showed the Spaniard was clearly in an offside position when he turned home Ashley Cole’s cross. Visiting manager Brian McDermott was left incensed by the decision of referee Lee Mason to award the goal that undid his side’s previous excellent work. At that point Reading appeared to be on course to claim at least a point after goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie — helped by an error by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech — had overturned Frank Lampard’s early penalty. Gary Cahill’s long range shot had brought Chelsea level midway through the second half but the match was very much in the balance when Torres struck. Then, in the very final seconds, Branislav Ivanovic capped a breakaway to roll in the fourth goal after Reading keeper Adam Federici had gone forward.
