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Premier League, Stamford Bridge – Chelsea 4 (Torres 14, Lampard 22, Hazard 31, Ivanovic 76) Norwich 1 (Holt 11).

Chelsea cemented top spot in the Premier League with an attacking masterclass, romping to a 4-1 win over Norwich at Stamford Bridge.

Grant Holt gave struggling Norwich an early lead against the run of play after 11 minutes, but Fernando Torres levelled three minutes later, before Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard scored delightful goals to put the Blues comfortably ahead after half an hour.

In the second half it might easily have been a rout as Oscar, Juan Mata and Hazard took centre-stage, but in the end Chelsea managed only one more, a sumptuous volley from Branislav Ivanovic 76 minutes in.

The Blues will finish the weekend four points clear at the top of the table, while Norwich remain stranded near the foot of the league.

Roberto di Matteo’s decision to include both Ashley Cole and John Terry stole the headlines, but it was his attacking combination which had more of an impact on the match.

With the unbeaten league leaders hosting the winless Canaries, only one result looked likely, but Holt’s early strike gave the Blues an early scare.

It was a well-worked move – Wes Hoolahan running unchecked before picking out Sebastian Bassong in the box, who nodded down for Holt to rifle past Petr Cech.

But the lead was short-lived. Torres, who had spurned an early chance with hesitancy after being played in over the top, got on the end of a cross from Ivanovic and glanced past John Ruddy to level.

Chelsea kept attacking, and the second came after Torres attempted an overhead kick. It was blocked – but straight into the path of Lampard, whose finish was clinical.

The Blues were not watertight at the back and Norwich did have their chances – Alexander Tettey had got into a great position up front only to completely misjudge his header.

But it left them exposed to the counter-attack, and they were undone for the third by a superb break led by Mata. The Spaniard went most of the length of the field laying on a deft through ball for Hazard, who knocked it first-time into the corner.

The chances rained down during the second half – Holt, along with Hoolahan the bright spots in a tame display for Norwich, nodded just wide at the far post for the visitors before Chelsea resumed normal service.

There were at least two clear penalty chances that the Blues were denied – Hazard was bodychecked by Leon Barnett chasing a lost cause of a ball, while Terry’s shirt was clearly pulled by Martin when he tried to head in at the far post late on.

Meanwhile Oscar tested Ruddy out from distance, Mata almost rounded off a flowing team move with a finish past the Norwich keeper, while Torres came close on a number of occasions.

Despite the combination of attacking talent, Chelsea’s only goal of the half came from a defender.

Oscar put in the cross from the left-hand side, Mata flicked it back in towards the middle, and Ivanovic with all the poise of a striker crashed the ball in at the near post.

Ivanovic may be a right-back, but with six Premier League goals in 2012, he has only been outscored by Fernando Torres (eight) and Frank Lampard (seven) for the Blues this year.

Norwich avoided further damage on the scoresheet, but with their next Premier League fixture pitting them against Arsenal, Chris Hughton's task of getting a first Premier League win with the Canaries looks a tricky one.

For Chelsea, who were able to give a late Premier League debut to Cesar Azpilicueta and a first top flight appearance of the season for Oriol Romeu, the team look in great shape, despite the notable off-field distractions, going into the international break.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Juan Mata (Chelsea) – To stand out in an attacking midfield boasting Oscar and Hazard says something about the calibre of Mata’s performance.

Premier League, Emirates Stadium – Arsenal 1 (Gervinho 42) Chelsea 2 (Torres 20, Mata 53).

Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 at Emirates Stadium to stay top of the Premier League and maintain their unbeaten start to the domestic season.

John Terry's every touch was booed enthusiastically by the home fans in light of his impending four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, but he ended up on top as Chelsea won a lively London derby.

Goals from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata did the damage, although Arsenal gave them a hand as their inability to defend set pieces was exposed for a second weekend running.

Gervinho was on target for the Gunners, who had lengthy spells of possession but were unable to create enough chances as Petr Cech only made two saves of note all match, although substitute Olivier Giroud hit the woodwork before putting a good opportunity wide in injury time.

It was Arsenal’s first defeat of the campaign, while their Chelsea hoodoo continues: the Blues are the first team to beat Arsene Wenger’s side three times in a row in the Premier League at the Emirates.

A frantic first half finished even as both sides attacked with vigour, Chelsea getting the better of the opening exchanges as Torres netted his 75th career Premier League goal at the expense of Laurent Koscielny and co.

Last weekend the Gunners’ zonal marking was criticised as they conceded to Manchester City at a set-piece, but their failure to attack the ball was at fault then as it was now, although their man-marking was exposed this time.

A superbly weighted Mata free-kick saw Koscielny fail in his task as a man-marker, allowing Torres to hook a leg around his torso and flick an improvised finish past Vito Mannone.

It was not all Koscielny’s fault as the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – who had just entered play following another injury to poor Abou Diaby – allowed David Luiz and John Terry the freedom of the box before Torres’s intervention.

While a lapse in organisation was at play, it was a deserved goal in the sense that Chelsea - with three attacking midfielders - had pressed and harried Arsenal from the off, their style of chasing and clever passing echoing that of Barcelona.

Chelsea should have gone 2-0 up when Koscielny fluffed his lines under pressure from Torres, who went clean through but – in electing to round Mannone instead of finish directly – fell over under pressure from the chasing centre-back.

The Spaniard wanted a penalty but the minimal contact was a result of his swinging boot catching Koscielny’s as opposed to any intent on the defender’s part.

The hosts responded well, using overlapping full-backs Keiran Gibbs and the excellent Carl Jenkinson to great effect as they launched waves of attacks.

Gervinho, leading the line as Giroud watched on, should have done better with a far-post header from Lukas Podolski’s driven cross, the Ivorian’s effort across goal well-fielded by Terry.

Chelsea were dangerous on the break, Torres just offside as he finished from a sweet Mata through ball, but Arsenal’s equaliser was always on the cards.

Jenkinson, who has taken to his attacking right-back role with gusto and surprise given his shaky displays last season, was involved in much of Arsenal’s forward play and it was one of his runs that saw Oxlade-Chamberlain released down the right.

His low ball picked out Gervinho, who turned before firing an unstoppable effort into the top right, a finish out of keeping with the Ivorian’s oft-disappointing end product.

There was still time for Torres to find the side netting after a counter attack that marked Chelsea’s increased tendency to sit deeper into half-time.

The second half continued with the pattern of Arsenal possession and Chelsea counters, with the visitors more effective than the hosts, whose afternoon was typified by Cazorla’s wild finish from a good spot, one of many poor shots from the talented Spaniard.

Chelsea were soon back in front as Mata again showed his quality with the dead ball, this time swinging it beyond everyone bar the lunging Koscielny, who got a touch as it flew past Mannone to the bottom left. The ball was on target so Mata was credited with the goal, but ball-watching Arsenal again should have dealt with it.

Arsenal responded with possession-driven attacks but it was worth nothing that Cech made his first proper save just before the hour mark, tipping a Lukas Podolski header over.

Jenkinson and Gibbs were leading the charge at will but, despite some dangerous crosses, Arsenal were second to the ball in the vital areas.

Giroud and Theo Walcott were brought into the fold but the former, for all his undoubted effort, looks short of the quality required to be a main striker at this level.

He inadvertently came close to a leveller when his low shot took a huge deflection off David Luiz, but Cech palmed it wide for a corner, while a flicked header from a corner touched the woodwork, although a flag went up in the melee.

Chelsea had men behind the ball but still countered with intent, sub Victor Moses close to a spectacular half-volleyed goal that dipped just over.

Arsenal were throwing everything at the Blues, who tried to run it into the corner at every opportunity, although the hosts still carved out enough chances to grab a point. Cazorla smacked one high and wide when he should have at least made Cech work, while in stoppage time Giroud showed poor composure when put through by the aforementioned Spain midfielder, taking an extra touch wide before hammering his finish into the side netting.

Chelsea’s win – their first in 33 against Arsenal without Didier Drogba in the team – cements their claim to being the form side in England, while Arsenal must look to bounce back from disappointment, an inability to do so having marked recent seasons.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Juan Mata (Chelsea) – His dead-ball delivery is second-to-none and the Spaniard was on song today, creating the first and scoring the second as he exploited Arsenal’s hesitancy at set pieces.

Premier League, Loftus Road - Queens Park Rangers 0 Chelsea 0.

QPR and Chelsea played out a 0-0 stalemate at Loftus Road after Anton Ferdinand snubbed John Terry and Ashley Cole pre-match.

Chelsea's 100 per cent league record came to an end at the home of their West London rivals, where Ferdinand, Terry and Cole took centre-stage following last season's race allegations which culminated in a not guilty verdict for Terry in July.

QPR debutant Julio Cesar impressed in goal with a string of solid saves while Bobby Zamora had an effort cleared off the line in the second half after a horror back pass attempt by John Obi Mikel.

But a heated affair did not ultimately produce any goals and Roberto Di Matteo's side remain top of the league on 10 points despite victories for Manchester United and Arsenal elsewhere.

The Hoops, meanwhile, remain near the foot of the table, still without their first league win.

Before a ball had been kicked, the match was making headlines when Ferdinand opted not to shake the hands of either Terry or Cole during the pre-match ritual, which had been abandoned altogether the previous season when the clubs last met.

Words were had between centre-backs Terry and Ferdinand before the hostilities transitioned into the alleged centrepiece of the afternoon – the actual football match – in a tense and scrappy opening period.

Ramires and Ryan Bertrand both picked up first-half bookings as Rangers – managed by ex-Chelsea man Mark Hughes, settled into the game the quickest.

The lion’s share of the decent chances came the way of the European champions, however, with Cesar forced to make a pair of excellent blocks to deny first Eden Hazard and then Fernando Torres.

Fabio had a penalty claim waved away by referee Andre Marriner when he collided with David Luiz on the left-hand edge of the Chelsea box, before Hazard went down in the opposite area under pressure from Shaun Wright-Phillips, only to receive the same response.

The hosts lost two players early on to injury as Fabio and Andrew Johnson each pulled up with little over half an hour played, restricting their control of the tempo with the departure of two of their most creative players in the early stages.

A hotly-contested opening 10 minutes of the second half had little in the way of serious chances until home captain Park Ji-sung headed a delicious cross from Esteban Granero into the arms of Petr Cech.

Minutes later, a mistake from substitute Nedum Onuoha let Hazard in but his deft flick to put Torres in with a chance at goal was poorly controlled by the Spaniard.

With 13 minutes to go, that error was topped in a big way by Mikel when his back pass was underscored and Zamora pounced, only to blink first in the stand-off in front of goal with Cech, allowing the Czech to do enough to delay the striker.

By the time he pulled off a chance at goal, black shirts were back to block its path and a subsequent breakaway led to Victor Moses forcing another decent parry from Cesar in the former Wigan man’s cameo from the bench.

Four minutes from time, Hazard should have won the game for his side only to blast a point-blank opportunity over after Branislav Ivanovic cut inside from the right to find Moses, whose low cross found the Belgian 10 yards from goal with precision.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers) – Rob Green's autumn went from bad to worse as the former Inter Milan stopper made an impressive home debut for his new employers with a string of saves.

Chelsea made it three wins out of three at the start of the Premier League season as the brilliant Eden Hazard scored and then claimed yet another assist in a 2-0 defeat of Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian forward, purchased from Lille for a fee of £32 million this summer, had already created five goals in just two matches for Chelsea prior to Saturday evening's game, which took place amid a deluge of rain in West London.

And when Fernando Torres was brought to ground by Vurnon Anita after 22 minutes, responsibility for the penalty was handed to Hazard with Frank Lampard sitting on the bench and he struck the ball home with all the confidence of a man who has settled in immediately to Premier League football.

When Chelsea extended their lead in first-half injury time, it was inevitably Hazard who rolled the ball backwards impudently for Torres to toe-poke a brilliant shot into the top corner, his creative instincts continuing to help deliver a new brand of football from a side who relied on oppressively negative tactics to win the Champions League last season.

Chelsea were forced to do without captain John Terry due to a neck injury while Lampard, in a nod to his advancing years, was rested from the starting XI. Newcastle meanwhile made nine changes from their European fixture in midweek, with Anita replacing the injured Cheick Tiote for his full Premier League debut following a transfer from Ajax.

While Chelsea's new signings Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses were presented to the Stamford Bridge crowd prior to kick-off - their acquisitions on Friday taking the club's summer spending past the £80 million mark - it was the most lucrative of the new arrivals whom all eyes were focused on.

Having created five of Chelsea's six goals in their opening two games of the season, Hazard has already developed quite the reputation in the Premier League and stationed out on the right against Newcastle he looked intent on wreaking yet more havoc.

After 14 minutes the Belgium international drifted inside, collected a short pass from John Obi Mikel and had a shot from 20 yards that lacked the precision or pace to trouble Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal. Team-mate Ryan Bertrand had a better chance soon after but also hit the ball too close to the Dutchman.

Chelsea posed only an intermittent threat but on 22 minutes Torres sprung to life as he surged into the box and drew a clumsy challenge from Anita. Phil Dowd pointed towards the penalty spot and Hazard continued his wonderful start to the season with the 10th conversion in 10 penalty attempts during his professional career, slotting the ball out of the reach of Krul.

Branislav Ivanovic - another one of the stars of Chelsea's early campaign with two goals to his name - threatened again when connecting with an Ashley Cole cross with a firm header, while Hazard then combined with Juan Mata before the Spaniard tried to cross for Torres when a shot would have been the superior option.

Torres was a more sprightly presence following his key intervention for the penalty, and the Euro 2012 Golden Boot winner thought he had Fabricio Coloccini in trouble after being brought to ground by the defender as he skipped away from him. However, Phil Dowd misread the situation and angered Torres by booking him for diving.

With Newcastle restricted to a half-chance from Papiss Cisse that saw the striker turn quickly and test Petr Cech with a firm shot, Chelsea extended their lead deep into first half injury time. Torres slipped the ball into Hazard, who returned the favour with a lovely flick into the path of the Spaniard. Spotting a gap in the top corner , Torres toe-poked a lovely shot out of the reach of Krul for 2-0.

Newcastle were a renewed force after the break and placed Chelsea under considerable pressure with a number of shots from range. Demba Ba then drove into the box following a mistake from Mikel to force Cech into a smart save from a tight angle.

However, Chelsea always looked threatening on the break and almost got in behind on 61 minutes when Torres muscled Anita off the ball in the box. Displaying the fresh flood of confidence flowing through his veins, the Spaniard even attempted a 'Rabona' cross but failed to pick out Mata when placing one leg behind the other and punting the ball into the middle.

Newcastle carved out perhaps their finest chance of the game after 68 minutes when substitute Ryan Taylor delivered a teasing, deep cross to the back post. However, Cisse - scorer of two otherworldly goals at Stamford Bridge last season - could not keep his header on target despite being left free in the box.

By contrast, Hazard was a constant menace and with 10 minutes remaining he almost picked out Ramires for a third goal after thundering into the box. The ball fell to Bertrand, who saw Krul get an outstretched finger to his shot and tip the ball round the post.

Newcastle could have ensured a tense conclusion when a cross from Sylvain Marveaux was headed back to Ba. Though he missed the ball at the first attempt, Ba's second effort was low and hard but Cech pulled off a fantastic save to protect Chelsea's 2-0 lead.

Hazard and Torres had done their job: Chelsea's stylish start to the season continued.

Chelsea survived an almighty scare to beat promoted Reading 4-2 in a topsy-turvy Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea survived an almighty scare to beat promoted Reading 4-2 in a topsy-turvy Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

The European champions appeared to be cruising when Frank Lampard converted an 18th-minute penalty to cap a dominant early spell for the hosts.

But a Pavel Pogrebnyak header - his first goal for the club - levelled on 25 minutes, with the Championship champions edging ahead soon afterwards when a blunder from Petr Cech allowed Danny Guthrie to open his Reading account.

Chelsea were struggling and looked bereft of ideas but, after a smart tactical switch by Roberto Di Matteo midway through the second half, they drew level when another goalkeeping error from Adam Federici saw Gary Cahill net from distance.

The West London side then took the lead in controversial circumstances with 10 minutes remaining when an offside-looking Fernando Torres tapped in Ashley Cole's low cross after a lovely passing move.

Reading went gung-ho in search of a late equaliser and, in the fifth minute of injury time, Chelsea added a fourth when Federici was stranded after coming up for a corner, Branislav Ivanovic rolling the ball into the empty net after Eden Hazard had broken free.

The victory means Chelsea go top of the fledgling Premier League for a few days at least, although that could change at the weekend. Reading boss Brian McDermott, meanwhile, must decide whether he can trust Federici at this level after the Australian cost his side two possible victories in succession.

The Wednesday evening clash, moved from next week due to Chelsea’s European Super Cup duties, was a chance for the Blues to play their first competitive home fixture following their Champions League heroics last May.

They started like contenders, dominating possession from kick-off as Reading’s touches were limited to the occasional interception and a Federici save from Ramires.

Torres almost opened his season account with a wonder goal, nutmegging and rounding defenders for fun before seeing his finish blocked by a sliding Alex Pearce, but the hosts were able to take the lead soon afterwards when Hazard tricked Chris Gunther into a rash challenge, referee Lee Mason pointing to the spot.

Lampard solidified his position as second-highest penalty scorer in Premier League history with a smart drive into the bottom left, his 39th from the spot, although some way off record holder Alan Shearer (56).

But from that point onwards Chelsea fell to pieces, a combination of poor defending and a fading midfield contributing to a speedy demise.

That Reading had been forced to attack after conceding was largely irrelevant – both their goals were eminently avoidable.

The first came thanks to hesitant defending from John Terry, who was dragged out of position to cover Cole but failed to close down Gareth McLeary. His fine cross picked out Pogrebnyak, who easily beat Cahill to a flicked header that evaded Cech and nestled in the top left.

That was shoddy, but Reading’s second was unforgivable. Terry gave away a needless free-kick on the left-hand edge of the Chelsea penalty area, but Cech should have easily held on to Guthrie’s daisy cutter – not only did the Czech keeper fail to gather his shot, he palmed it into his own net in what will be considered one of the howlers of the season.

Pearce should have added a third before half time but he somehow failed to make contact with an excellent Ian Harte free-kick, despite being unmarked with just Cech to beat; Torres repaid the favour at the other end, although it was a more difficult header from between Pearce and Kaspars Gorkss.

Chelsea were toiling badly, in shell-shock following that quickfire Reading double, but also struggling in the middle of the park with both Ramires – only recently recovered from illness – and Juan Mata below par.

But Di Matteo should be credited for a pair of substitutions which changed the balance of the game: first Oscar replaced compatriot Ramires, immediately giving the hosts more dynamism in midfield; then Daniel Sturridge came on for John Obi Mikel, adding a more direct width to Chelsea’s attacks and crucially allowing Hazard to adopt a more central role.

The Belgian won Chelsea’s first game of the season at Wigan, and he did so again – even when his team struggled, the former Lille playmaker was fleet of foot and thought as he won free-kicks for fun.

He was now making the team tick and, having moved into the middle, forced a decent stop from Federici after a long passing move that sparked the turning point in the match.

After good play from Oscar, Torres saw another effort blocked, this time by Pearce, and seconds after Sturridge entered the fray Chelsea were level.

Cahill has a fondness for getting forward and scoring spectacular long-range efforts, but Federici should have stopped his swerving drive on 70 minutes – the error was not as bad as Cech’s, nor his own against Stoke at the weekend, but he got two strong hands on the ball and should have kept it out.

A Chelsea victory was inevitable as they lay camp in the Reading half, Mata firing a low drive through the yellow shirts with Federici a spectator, but the finish fizzing wide of the post.

They snuck ahead soon afterwards but there was a heavy dose of offside about Torres when he crept in unmarked to tap home a low Cole cross that managed to evade Reading’s defence and keeper.

It was a wonderful team passing move - Mata's through ball to Cole a particular delight - but close inspection of the replays showed Torres to be a fraction offside, although it was tight.

With 10 minutes remaining, Reading were forced into an unnatural all-out attack mode and they could have drawn level after some good late pressure, Harte’s late free-kick deflected behind for a corner.

From that final set piece Chelsea completed the comeback, Federici giving chase after Torres cleared the corner but left no chance against Hazard, who zipped away down the right before unselfishly handing Ivanovic an easy finish, Gunther the only Reading player able to get back in time but outnumbered by the hosts.

It added a sheen to an unconvincing win but with two wins in two matches Chelsea have laid a marker as they attempt to convert last season’s cup form into a convincing league threat.

Spain secured a unique place in football's long history by becoming the first team to win three successive major tournaments when beating Italy 4-0 in the final of Euro 2012 at Kiev's Olimpiyskiy Stadium.

Extending their incredible record of not conceding a goal in knockout football since the 2006 World Cup - a run that now stands at almost 1000 minutes - Spain added to their triumphs at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup with their crowning achievement: a comprehensive victory secured by three wonderfully-constructed goals that were true to the team's trademark style, and a late fourth to ensure the biggest margin of victory ever seen in a final at this tournament.

This was a night when Spain's dominance of international football became more absolute than any team's before them. The much-discussed philosophy of ultra-control, tiki-taka, allowed them to suppress yet another opponent; their intricate and wonderful passing overwhelming an Italian midfield that prior to Sunday night had excelled at Euro 2012, but for the last 30 minutes of this game in Kiev was depleted by an injury to Thiago Motta after all three Italian changes had been made.

Having attracted criticism for rather uninspiring victories over France and Portugal in the knockout stages, this was Spain's riposte: goals from David Silva after 14 minutes and Jordi Alba after 41 minutes were as technically excellent as any seen at the tournament and were vivid vindications of Spain's approach. The closing stages were a procession, Xavi teeing up substitute Fernando Torres with another fine pass for his second assist of the night and Torres then turning provider to square for Chelsea team-mate Juan Mata, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes in his first appearance of the finals.

The pass ensured Torres won the Golden Boot having finished level on goals and assists with Germany's Mario Gomez but having been on the pitch for only 189 minutes in total. The striker's goal in Kiev meant he was the only player to have scored in two separate European Championship finals.

On a night when records fell as regularly as Spain strung together gorgeous passing moves, Iker Casillas became the first player to win 100 international games and Vicente del Bosque became the first coach to win the European Championship, the World Cup and the Champions League. For an Italy side that has been resurgent under the laudable leadership of Cesare Prandelli, though, it was a step too far, a first defeat in competitive internationals against Spain since 1920.

They did lose a penalty shoot-out to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 though - a result that has been pinpointed by Spain's players as the moment when belief in their nascent ability finally crystallised and a long history of international disappointment began to quickly evolve into a legacy of sustained success, so it was a neat coincidence that the Azzurri again provided the opposition as Spain reached previously unscaled heights.

Spain's only change from the semi-final shoot-out win over Portugal was entirely expected, Cesc Fabregas replacing Alvaro Negredo in attack to perform the false nine role that has given such ammunition to Spain's growing number of critics. Designed to help enhance those possession statistics and keep the ball away from Andrea Pirlo, it was ostensibly a cautious strategy from Del Bosque.

Italy made a change of their own, the returning Ignazio Abate slotting in at right-back as Federico Balzaretti was dropped, Giorgio Chiellini being a more defensive option at left-back with Prandelli also unwilling to break up the central partnership of Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. There was no return to the 3-5-2 formation that Italy deployed in their opening group game when drawing 1-1 with Spain in Gdansk.

However, Chiellini was exposed for the opening goal after 14 minutes as Spain were rewarded for an enterprising start that belied accusations that their brand of football has become unalterably boring. While Italy looked to target the rump of the Spain side with balls over the top to Mario Balotelli, Del Bosque's side once again demonstrated that their strength lies in their torso as Xavi and Andres Iniesta took control through the centre.

Xavi, who conceded prior to the game that he has not been at his peak level during the tournament, looked to have taken personal affront to negative critiques of himself and his side and unusually let fly with a couple of shots from range. The second flew narrowly over following a neat one-two with Fabregas.

It was a fluid start from Spain and they capitalised inside 15 minutes with a goal of utter brilliance. Iniesta took possession of the ball 25 yards from goal and opened up the Italy defence with a perfect through-ball for Fabregas. The false nine hit the byline and pulled a fine cross back for Silva, who timed his run excellently and from eight yards out directed his header inside the far post.

If Spain were determined to prove a point, it had been driven home forcefully. Yet Italy's response to going behind for the first time in the tournament was not to cower, but to try and wrest control back. Daniele De Rossi was instrumental with a forceful 20 minutes and, having seen Chiellini taken off with an injury, replacement Federico Balzaretti also provided real impetus down the left.

De Rossi robbed Xavi of possession on one occasion and pinged a pass out to Antonio Cassano. The forward made a smart turn before rolling in a low shot that Casillas saved, and later took the ball from Pirlo before seeing another effort beaten away by the Spain captain. Remarkably Italy had the better of possession in the first half, but they could not find an equaliser.

Four minutes before half time Spain extended their advantage. Alba played the ball square to Xavi and accelerated through the centre of the pitch with a brilliant run to receive the return pass. His first touch to control was exquisite, his second surgical as he placed his shot past Buffon. It was just reward for a player, destined to join Barcelona, who has been consistently excellent throughout the tournament.

Italy reacted at half time by sacrificing Cassano for Antonio Di Natale and the Udinese striker made an immediate impact. Within a minute he had headed over the bar from an Abate cross and, after Spain had a claim for a penalty turned down when a header from Sergio Ramos struck the arm of Bonucci, he should really have put Italy back into contention.

Riccardo Montolivo played a fine pass through to the striker, who appeared to be straying offside, and his low effort was blocked by a fine save from Casillas. The rebound popped out to Di Natale but his attempted pass was also cut out by the Spain captain.

Montolivo was swiftly removed for Motta though and Prandelli's rather reckless decision to make all three substitutions before the hour mark was punished accordingly when Motta suffered a hamstring injury after 61 minutes and was taken off on a stretcher to leave his side facing the might of Spain with only 10 players.

Ruthless in their pursuit of history, Spain exploited their advantage to the full. Having been summoned from the bench, Torres collected a fine pass from Xavi and slotted the ball past Buffon to make it three after 84 minutes. Within four minutes he had unselfishly squared for Mata who marked two minutes of tournament football with a goal of his own.

There was still time for Ramos to saunter up to the penalty area and try and score a backheel as Spain finished in rampant style, leaving their place in football's history books unassailable. Italy, suffering a first competitive defeat under Prandelli, could not fight against a Spanish tide that has had unstoppable momentum ever since that penalty shoot-out win in 2008.

After Spain's third triumph in as many major tournaments the only remaining question is whether they are the greatest of all time. The manner of their triumph in Kiev would suggest an answer in the affirmative.

Xabi Alonso scored twice on his 100th appearance for Spain as they progressed to a Euro 2012 semi-final against Portugal with a 2-0 win over France in Donetsk.

Spain had never beaten France in a major tournament yet Alonso's thumping header after 19 minutes and a penalty in second-half injury time were enough to end that run and eliminate a France side who were punished for adopting a lamentably negative approach at the Donbass Arena.

The reigning champions were hardly impressive either, creating few real chances having set up in a 4-6-0 formation, yet their suffocating passing game delivered a 2-0 victory, with France's abject performance raising real questions for coach Laurent Blanc, who had surrendered the initiative from the very first minute.

By contrast, Vicente del Bosque was left to contemplate a semi-final meeting with Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo as Spain's attempt to surpass the achievements of France and West Germany before them and win three major tournaments in succession continues.

Spain's reputation preceded them prior to kick-off as fearful France coach Blanc deployed his side in an overtly defensive formation, Anthony Reveillere coming into defence as Mathieu Debuchy was pushed forward in order to try and suppress Andres Iniesta. Surprisingly, Samir Nasri was also dropped, the usual Blanc favourite being replaced by Florent Malouda who dropped deeper in midfield in an understandable attempt to deny the reigning champions space in front of goal.

Del Bosque, meanwhile, opted to revert to the striker-less formation that brought Spain a 1-1 draw against Italy in their opening game as Cesc Fabregas replaced Fernando Torres and adopted the false nine position, meaning at kick-off there was only one striker on the pitch: Karim Benzema, who had the unwanted record of having 17 shots without success at the finals.

France's conservatism contributed to a rather sterile first half in Donetsk that was only briefly punctuated by genuine goalmouth action.

The Spanish were quickly into their passing rhythm, France's deep deployment allowing them to dictate the flow of the game and spread the ball across the width of the pitch. Meanwhile, Blanc's side merely sat back and invited pressure in an inhibited performance.

That allowed Spain to play the game their way, an opportunity Alonso grasped with both hands as he tried to score a trademark long-range effort after only eight minutes, only to see Hugo Lloris catch his shot as it threatened to float over his head from all of 45 yards.

Just 11 minutes later Alonso did mark his 100th cap with a goal - and it came via rather more unconventional means for the midfielder. France's strategy to field two right-backs unravelled as Iniesta slipped a neat pass into the left channel for Jordi Alba, who exploited a slip from Debuchy to pick out Alonso with a cross to the back post. Completely unmarked, the Real Madrid star powered a header back across goal and past Lloris.

Conceding early posed a problem for France, whose whole approach was based around containment. Their response was so remain cautious though and they threatened only intermittently, Benzema thumping one free-kick high into the stands before Yohan Cabaye went much closer with a set-piece of his own that forced Iker Casillas into a smart save.

Spain had all the initiative, and predictably dominated possession, yet they found good chances to be elusive. Fabregas was combining well with the midfielders behind him - one clever one-two with Iniesta resulting in the latter having a shot deflected wide - yet a lack of a presence in the centre of the box meant Del Bosque's side were not as penetrative as perhaps they should have been and Spain had to make do with a one-goal advantage at half-time.

France initially improved in the second half, showing more intent and bringing more energy to their performance, but still Casillas was untested as Debuchy headed over from 10 yards out when getting on the end of a cross from Ribery.

After Lloris had made a fine save when racing off his line and preventing Fabregas from getting on the end of a lovely Xavi through-ball and dancing round him, Blanc took action when bringing on Nasri and Menez for Debuchy and Malouda.

Menez soon made himself busy and on 72 minutes almost had a sniff at goal. Yann M'Vila released Ribery with a beautiful pass and after the midfielder pulled the ball back from the byline, only the extended arm of Casillas prevented Menez from connecting. However, the PSG star then let himself down when being booked for dissent and incurring a one-match suspension in the process.

The ball remained Spain's possession for large swathes of the second half but they did precious little with it. Indeed, as France began to probe with more intent - throwing on striker Olivier Giroud for M'Vila with 10 minutes remaining - suddenly Spain looked potentially vulnerable.

However, the threat from France never materialised. Instead it was Spain who pushed for a second goal and their chance arrived in injury time. Substitute Santi Cazorla played in Pedro in the box and the Barcelona forward drew a clumsy challenge from Reveillere with a clever stepover and change of direction.

Alonso sent Lloris the wrong way from 12 yards to take Spain forward to the final four, with France meekly taking their leave of a tournament they never really threatened to leave their mark on.

Spain set up a possible Euro 2012 quarter-final with England by completing a nervy 1-0 win over Croatia in Gdansk to top Group C.

World and European champions Spain were never at their most fluent best against a dogged Croatian side despite dominating possession and needed to wait until the 87th minute to settle the match in their favour as substitute Jesus Navas slammed the ball into the vacant net.

With Croatia attempting to find the goal they needed to stay in the tournament, Cesc Fabregas - on for David Silva - picked out Andres Iniesta, who played the ball across the face of goal for Navas to seal the three points.

Spain progress as Group C winners on seven points while Italy join them as runners-up on five points after their 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland, who lost their three games at the finals. Croatia concluded on four points in third place.

If France beat Sweden and England overcome Ukraine in Group D on Tuesday night, there is every chance that England will have to face Spain in a daunting quarter-final in Donetsk on Saturday night. If England win Group D, they will confront Italy in Kiev on Sunday evening.

England manager Roy Hodgson would hope to find Spain in a similar mood in the last eight if that is what fate throws up. They again operated without a forward for parts of the second half as Navas replaced Fernando Torres on 61 minutes. They created few chances as Croatia set out to disrupt their opponents's rhythm with some success.

The first half resembled a training session with Spain seeming to lack urgency and incision as Croatia’s decision to flood the midfield and operate with only Mario Mandzukic up front kept them in the game until the dying moments.

The first half was much ado about nothing apart from a few flares arriving on the pitch at various junctures.Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa saved from Torres on 21 minutes while Gerard Pique lifted a shot over the bar a couple of minutes later.

For their part, Croatia forced Iker Casillas to halt a shot from Danijel Pranjic on 24 minutes while Sergio Ramos was fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty when he seemed to take out Mandzukic with a needless late challenge midway through the half.

Spain’s players and certainly their fans looked highly uncomfortable the longer the night staggered on as Casillas produced an excellent save to claw out an Ivan Rakitic header from Luka Modric’s cross on 59 minutes.

Pletikosa made saves from Iniesta and Navas in the closing eight minutes, but Croatia were suddenly proving to be a real threat as outgoing coach Slaven Bilic threw on Nikica Jelavic and Eduardo in the closing minutes to try to save the day.

Spain were fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty a minute before Navas struck as Sergio Busquets was found to be clearly manhandling Vedran Corluka in the box from a Rakitic corner.

It makes you wonder what the officials behind the goal are doing on such occasions. It was perhaps a call that sounded the death knell on Croatian hopes at the finals, but a decision also went for Croatia in the second half when Gerard Pique was caught and felled by the elbow of Mandzukic.

They go out despite clubbing Ireland 3-1 in their opening match and holding Italy 1-1 in their second game.

Spain need one more win or draw to equal the longest unbeaten streak of 10 games at the European Championships, a record held by Netherlands, West Germany and Italy.

They must address how they progress at the tournament without a recognised forward. Alvaro Negredo was sent on in the dying seconds, but there is little doubt that coach Vicente del Bosque is missing David Villa at these finals. Their fans prefer Fernando Llorente, who has yet to appear in this tournament.

Fernando Torres helped bury the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2012 campaign with two delicious goals as world champions Spain coasted to a 4-0 win in Gdansk.

Spain recorded their biggest win at the European Championship finals with some ease as Ireland followed up their 3-1 loss to Croatia in Group C on Sunday by shipping four more goals against the world and European champions, who were hardly made to work for their haul at the Polish city's PGE Arena.

The defensive success that had helped Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland reach their first major tournament since the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea collapsed all around them amid a series of wretched mistakes on a saturated night that was damp for the Irish players, supporters and coaching team in more ways than one.

Spain were their usual menacing self, but there is little doubt that Ireland contributed to their own downfall with a lack of organisation all too obvious at key moments.

Torres (4,70), David Silva (49) and Torres's late replacement Cesc Fabregas (82) consigned Ireland to their heaviest defeat at a major tournament. In truth, it could have been much, much worse for an Irish side who will probably reflect on their efforts at this tournament with a real sense of regret. They lost seven goals in 10 matches in qualifying before losing seven in two outings at the finals. It is hardly heroic stuff.

Spain are not yet through to the last eight despite drubbing the Irish. Vicente del Bosque's team will qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat Group C rivals Croatia on Monday with Ireland concluding their campaign against Italy on the same night before they fly home.

Chelsea forward Torres looked a different figure from the hesitant striker who missed a couple of chances as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Italy on Sunday as he careered into the box before thumping an effort through Irish goalkeeper Shay Given, who should perhaps have the made the stop despite the energy of the strike.

With Richard Dunne kicking fresh air while Torres applied the finish for his first competitive goal since September 2010, it left Ireland firmly on the back foot only days after they haemorrhaged an early goal in falling behind to Croatia on only three minutes.

Ireland were almost like football's equivalent of a punching-bag as Given made saves from Silva, Andres Iniesta and the energetic Alvaro Arbeloa with Torres knocking an effort wide.

To illustrate the gulf in class, Xavi and Xabi Alonso had completed more passes by half-time than the Irish team, who staggered to the sanctuary of the dressing room having put together only 104 in the first half.

Spain simply had to find a second goal given their ball retention and it arrived moments after half-time when Given could only palm an Iniesta effort straight to Silva, who slipped the shot through three Irish players and Given to hand Spain a 2-0 lead.

It was horrid defending at any level, but Ireland's night got worse when Aiden McGeady lost possession to Silva who sent Torres bounding clear. He waited for Given to make his move before planting the ball into the net for a 3-0 lead.

Torres has now scored 30 goals for Spain. Only Raul (44) and David Villa (51) have scored more goals for their country.

While the Irish fans continued to sing, Spain continued to pass. Ireland were a bedraggled-looking lot when they seemed to fall asleep for the fourth goal from a short corner.

Fabregas was unforgivably left unmarked in the Irish area moments after replacing Torres and he walloped a fierce shot between Keith Andrews and Given to finish off the Irish in every sense.

Ireland managed to exercise Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas a couple of times. Simon Cox saw a shot saved in the opening minutes while Keane forced Casillas to halt an effort in the second period, but Ireland rarely tested an opposing side who basked in over 70 per cent of possession.

Indeed, the imperious Xavi set a European Championship passing record by putting together 136 on the night. The previous best recorded at the European Championships was 117 by Ronald Koeman against Denmark in 1992.

The travelling band of Irish followers deserve great credit for their fanatical support in the Polish drizzle. It is just a pity their players could not match such levels on the park. Conceding seven goals in two games means they are the first team to be ousted from these finals.

Fernando Torres was guilty of spurning two golden chances as Italy unearthed a performance of real character to hold Spain to a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2012 opener at the PGE Arena in Gdansk.

World and European champions Spain went into the Group C opener as warm favourites, but were met by an Italian side who were every bit as dangerous going forward as their feted opponents in front of 43,615 good-natured fans in the Polish city.

Italy went ahead on 60 minutes after a tight first period, Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale bounding on to an exquisite pass from Andrea Pirlo to lift the ball over goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Italy fans were still celebrating when Spain equalised courtesy of Cesc Fabregas four minutes later.

The Barcelona midfielder evaded the attentions of Emanuele Giaccherini to slip the ball beyond Gianluigi Buffon in levelling at 1-1 from David Silva's pass, but there remained plenty of time for Chelsea forward Torres to win it for Spain.

In keeping with the way it has been for him since he left Liverpool for Chelsea 18 months ago, Torres failed miserably.

The £50 million striker did little to suggest he is back to anything close to the form that saw him rise to prominence during his days at Atletico Madrid and Liverpool after replacing Fabregas, as he failed to take the ball beyond Buffon on 74 minutes with the Italian keeper racing from his line to make the sort of tackle a central defender would have been proud of.

Torres scored the winning goal from a similar situation when Spain beat Germany in the Euro 2008 final, but this is a figure clearly short of confidence four years on as hesitancy and lack of purpose infiltrates his movements.

He hoisted the ball over the bar with only Buffon to beat on 85 minutes when he could have played in fellow substitute Jesus Navas, opting to go for goal only to knock his effort well off target.

To encapsulate a fairly miserable 19-minute cameo, Torres was also lucky to only be booked for elbowing Daniele De Rossi in the throat as he jumped for a high ball. Another referee may well have sent off Torres.

It justified Spain manager Vicente del Bosque's decision to start the match without any recognised forwards as Torres, Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente were all left on the bench.

The latter two forwards may expect to see some action against Republic of Ireland in Gdansk on Thursday, when Spain continue their quest to defend the title they won four years ago in Austria and Switzerland.

Spain's best chance in the first period saw Andres Iniesta lift a shot over the bar from Xavi's pass while Casillas was forced to repel Thiago Motta's header second before half-time.

Torres was not the only Premier League forward found wanting in the moment as Manchester City's Mario Balotelli squandered an opportunity to give Italy the lead early in the second period when he robbed Sergio Ramos of the ball out wide.

He seemed to dither for an eternity with only Casillas to overcome, but his hesitancy enabled Ramos to make a fabulous recovery tackle.

Having been booked in the first half for a late tackle on Jordi Alba - one of seven men booked in a fiercely contested match - he was replaced by Di Natale, who had scored within four minutes of his introduction.