TORRES ESCAPES PUNISHMENT

LONDON: Chelsea striker Fernando Torres will not face retrospective disciplinary action for scratching the face of Tottenham Hotspur’s Jan Vertonghen, England’s governing Football Association said on Tuesday.

Spain forward Torres was seen by television cameras to have clawed at the face of Spurs’ Belgian defender and that led the FA to review the incident, which took place during a 1-1 Premier League draw involving the London clubs at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

However, as one of the match officials saw the incident, the FA said it would not be taking additional action. “The FA will take no action against Chelsea’s Fernando Torres in relation to an incident involving Tottenham Hotspur’s Jan Vertonghen which occurred in the 50th minute of their match on Saturday 28 September 2013,” an FA statement said.

EVERTON SINK NEWCASTLE

Everton’s Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku destroyed Newcastle as the Belgian marked his home debut with a double-strike in a 3-2 win at Goodison Park on Monday. Lukaku’s goals came either side of Ross Barkley’s strike, which the Belgian also set up as Everton raced into a 3-0 lead before the break. Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy scored for Newcastle in the second half, but Alan Pardew’s side had left it too late to complete a remarkable revival. Everton remain unbeaten after six matches and their third win of the season lifts them into fourth place.

DEL BOSQUE HINTS AT INCLUDING COSTA Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has fuelled speculation that Brazilian-born Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa will be called up for the world champions two remaining World Cup qualifiers. Del Bosque will name his squad for the games against Belarus and Georgia on October 11 and 15 respectively on Friday with Spain needing just four points to guarantee their place in next year’s finals.