Fernando Torres helped Chelsea to a 3-0 victory over Southampton on Wednesday as the Blues kept pace with their title rivals in the Premier League.

The Spain striker broke the deadlock on the hour mark, heading home a deflected cross from close range. Chelsea's substitutes then combined to deliver the second, with Oscar cutting in from the left to set up Willian for a powerful shot from the edge of the area in the 71st minute.

Oscar then put the result beyond doubt with a clinical finish in the 82nd minute after Eden Hazard and Ramires linked up to put the Brazilian through. Chelsea stay third in the standings behind Manchester City and league leader Arsenal after the top three sides all won on Wednesday.

In another match, Saido Berahino converted an 87th-minute penalty to earn West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 victory over 10-man Newcastle on Wednesday, overshadowing the return of Nicolas Anelka to English Premier League action after his controversial goal celebration.

Newcastle looked like holding on for a draw despite the 62nd-minute sending-off of defender Mathieu Debuchy for a two-footed tackle on Claudio Yacob, only for goalkeeper Tim Krul to trip Matej Vydra in the area.

Berahino, a half-time substitute, slotted the penalty into the corner for the win. Anelka started despite being the subject of a league investigation for celebrating a goal against West Ham on Saturday with a gesture that has anti-Semitic connotations and has caused a stir in his native France.