Fernando Torres enjoying his football after change of fortunes

Fernando Torres says he is enjoying his football again after continuing his return to form with a hat-trick in Chelsea's 6-1 demolition of QPR.

The striker also scored in his side's Champions League semi-final success against Barcelona on Tuesday.

"I have had a difficult year," said Torres, who joined from Liverpool for £50m in January 2011.

"But the only thing you can do is work hard and the rewards have to come - it is time to enjoy now."

Torres was delighted with his performance in the west London derby, a display which was capped by his first hat-trick since he scored a treble in Liverpool's 6-1 win against Hull in September 2009.

"[My last hat-trick] was a long time ago, so I am very happy about it," said Torres, who took his tally for the season to 11.

"From my first day in English football, everything was really good and looking easy, even though it wasn't, and I was scoring almost every day.

"It has been a difficult season, but things are getting better. When you work hard you get the rewards so I am very happy."

Chelsea's victory boosted their hopes of finishing in the top four and they will face Newcastle, one of their competitors for a place in the Champions League, at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Then, on Saturday, they face Torres's former club Liverpool in the FA Cup final.

"We have got two finals now [FA Cup and Champions League] and a massive game against Newcastle in three days," he said.

"That is the most important game right now and, if we can beat Newcastle, we will be closer to the top four and we can approach the FA Cup final against Liverpool with more motivation. It can be a great week."

Torres's performance drew praise from his manager Roberto di Matteo, who was pleased to see his striker begin to show the sort of form which persuaded the club to make him their record signing.

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

"But I'm pleased for him 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."