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No European hangover for Chelsea - Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo admitted he was surprised by Chelsea's display against QPR © PA Photos

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Roberto Di Matteo admitted even he was shocked by Chelsea's ruthless dismantling of QPR that catapulted them right back into the frame to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Just five days after reaching next month's final with a sensational comeback at Barcelona, the Blues produced the polar opposite of a European hangover to crush Rangers 6-1, their biggest ever win in the west London derby.

It moved them to within a point of a top-four spot in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday's crunch clash with Newcastle.

Chelsea caretaker manager Di Matteo said: "After a Champions League game in midweek, it always proves difficult in the next game in the Premier League.

"I'm very pleased with the way we played and the result. I have to say that the team surprised me as well. I wasn't expecting but I was hoping - they really put in a great performance today.''

No-one more so than man of the match Fernando Torres, who bagged the first hat-trick of his turbulent Chelsea career to give Di Matteo a real selection headache for the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

Di Matteo said: "He was always working very hard for the team and putting assists in. We are a team and that's what you support, and it doesn't really matter who scores.

"I'm pleased for him today that he's scored the hat-trick. The confidence comes with the wins and, obviously for a striker, maybe a little bit with the goals as well. The whole team looks full of confidence.''

Di Matteo was forced to play a makeshift defence due to injuries and suspensions and was coy about whether David Luiz would be fit for Newcastle.

He added: "We had an unusual back-four today and they did brilliantly to keep QPR at bay. It's great to see this team ethic and this team spirit from all these guys.''

Asked if Chelsea had sent a message to their top-four rivals, Di Matteo said: "We just look after ourselves. That's the only thing we can influence. We have to try and win the next game to be able to have a chance of finishing fourth.''

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