Chelsea top Group G with five-goal thrashing of Schalke

Chelsea sent a warning to the top European clubs as they put five past Schalke in a blistering performance that ensures they will qualify for the last 16 as winners of Group G.

Captain John Terry headed his side in front after just two minutes and they went into the break 3-0 up thanks to a wonderful team goal finished off by Willian and an absurd own goal from Jan Kirchhoff.

Didier Drogba came on to score in front of an open goal before standing the ball up for fellow substitute Ramires to nod home at the back post, completing the rout.

The London club now has 11 points – four more than second-placed Sporting, who they face next time out when boss Jose Mourinho will have the luxury of resting key personnel.

In one of the most one-sided matches you're likely to see in this competition, Chelsea were reunited with former boss Roberto Di Matteo for the first time since he was sacked six months after delivering Champions League glory to the club in 2012.

In the Italian’s eight match in charge of Schalke, he couldn’t muster a result that might have sent a pointed message the way of the man who axed him, Roman Abramovich. Instead he had to watch as the man who won him that coveted trophy – Drogba – added insult to injury.

2’ - GOAL!Schalke 0-1 Chelsea. It's John Terry who outjumps Howedes and guides his header inside the unmarked back post. What a start!

5’ - CHELSEA GO CLOSE AGAIN! Another corner and Gary Cahill nods it down for Branislav Ivanovic, who has to hit the target put instead blasts over the bar.

12’ - SCHALKE HIT THE BAR! Thibaut Courtois breathes a sigh of relief as a shot from Choupo-Moting deflects off Cahill, looping up and onto the bar.

29’ - GOAL! Schalke 0-2 Chelsea. Fabregas to Willian, flick to Hazard, back to Willian, bang. Farhmann should have saved the low shot but the beautiful move merited a goal.

41’ - CHANCE! Hoger plays a dreadful backpass and Costa is onto it. He slips, though, and allows Santana to get back and deny him.

44’ - GOAL! Schalke 0-3 Chelsea. It's an own goal from Kirchhoff who, under no pressure, heads into his own net from a corner. What was he thinking?!

51’ - CLOSE! Willian shapes to shoot on the volley but opts for a cute cut-back for Hazard. Uchida, though, just gets a foot in to deny what might have been a wonderful goal.

59’ - CENTIMETRES AWAY FROM AN UNBELIEVABLE VOLLEY! Willian crosses for Ivanovic at the back post. The Serb walks onto it and puts his laces through it on the full, sending it agonisingly over the upright.

76’ - GOAL! Schalke 0-4 Chelsea. If it wasn't already a perfect night for Chelsea it is now. Club legend Drogba gets the goal after Willian, one on one, slipped it unselfishly into his path for a tap-in.

78’ - GOAL! Schalke 0-5 Chelsea. Two goals in two minutes for Chelsea and Drogba turns provider, standing up a cross for Ramires to nod home at the back post.

Chelsea are unbeaten against Schalke. They’ve met six times in the Champions League, with the Blues winning four games and drawing two.

Chelsea have scored 14 goals in their six games against Schalke, conceding just one.

Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 10 of their last 16 Champions League games.

Chelsea have won 15 of the 19 games they’ve played this season in all comps.

Chelsea have breathing space ahead of Christmas. With a congested December consisting of eight games, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will be delighted to have already secured his team’s passage to the knockout phase of the competition. It affords him the luxury of resting his key men against Sporting to keep them fresh for the challenge of taking their Premier League lead into 2015.

Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea): Chelsea were utterly imperious today and at the heart of it all was Fabregas. He linked up beautifully and intricately with the likes of Hazard, Oscar and Willian, sprayed longer passes to cut through the Schalke defence and worked back to make tackles. The Spaniard is the heartbeat of this Chelsea side who continue to go from strength to strength.

Schalke: Fahrmann 6, Kirchhoff 3, Howedes 5, Santana 5, Boateng 3, Hoger 6, Choupo-Moting 6, Aogo 5, Uchida 5, Huntelaar 5, Neustadter 5. Subs: Clemens 5

Chelsea: Courtois 7; Ivanovic 7, Cahill 7, Terry (c) 7, Azpilicueta 6; Matic 7, Fabregas 9; Willian 8, Oscar 8, Hazard 9; Diego Costa 8. Subs: Ramires 7, Schurrle 6, Drogba 8.