Chelsea reach last 16 with comfortable win over 10-man Qarabag

Updated 22/11/2017 at 20:45 GMT

Champions League, Group C, Baki Olympiya Stadionu - Qarabag FK 0 Chelsea 4 (Hazard P 21', Willian 36', 85', Fabregas P 73')

Chelsea's players celebrate the team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Qarabag FK and Chelsea FC in Baku on November 22, 2017.

Image credit: Getty Images

Chelsea qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League with a comfortable 4-0 win over FK Qarabag on Wednesday.

The hosts started well but any hopes they had of causing an upset were dashed when Qarabag captain Rashad Sadygov was deemed to have fouled Willian in the penalty box. Sadygov was sent-off and Eden Hazard calmly dispatched the penalty.

Willian then doubled the lead when he finished off a glorious team move and Cesc Fabregas made it three in the second-half with another penalty.

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Late on Willian got his second when he burst forward and then smashed it home from the edge of the area.

For the time being Chelsea are top of Group C, although Roma have a game in hand as they play Atletico Madrid later on Wednesday evening and are two points behind the Blues.

TALKING POINT

Did the referee get the first penalty incident right? The short answer is yes. Sadygov fouled Willian – he pulled him back – and did that in the area so it was a penalty. He was also the last man and prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity without making an attempt to win the ball, so had to go. It may seem harsh given how little contact there was, but those are the rules.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Eden Hazard (Chelsea). The Belgian is in splendid form at the minute and was too good for Qarabag to handle, floating between their defence and midfield and keeping Chelsea’s attacking play ticking over before his departure. His backheeled assist for the second goal was magnificent and the standout moment, but he also took the penalty well considering how long he had to wait.

Chelsea's midfielder from Belgium Eden Hazard (R) celebrates after scoring a goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Qarabag FK and Chelsea in Baku

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KEY MOMENTS

13’ – OFF THE BAR! Qarabag out together a nice passing move and then get a pit of luck, a Medvedev's heavy touch ends up sliding through to Michel, and then it's Chelsea who get the luck as Michel beats Courtois and rattles the crossbar.

20’ – PENALTY AND RED CARD! Hazard looks to slide Willian in behind and just as he enters the penalty area he goes down having had a little tug on his arm from Sadygov. The referee points to the spot and promptly sends off Sadygov, who was the last man.

22’ – GOAL! Qarabag 0-1 Chelsea (Hazard). Hazard takes the penalty and, after a slight pause in the run-up, confidently sends the goalkeeper the wrong way.

36’ – GOAL! Qarabag 0-2 Chelsea (Willian). Beautiful interplay between Pedro, Willian and Hazard ends in a goal after the former plays a brilliant backheel into the path of Willian who coolly slots home. That's an excellent team goal.

71’ – PENALTY! Willian dribbles across the edge of the penalty area, Garayev gives his shirt a tug outside the box but the referee awards a spot kick.

73’ – GOAL! Qarabag 0-3 Chelsea (Fabregas). Fabregas takes responsibility and scores to the goalkeeper's right, only the for referee to make him take it again, so he goes for the same corner and gets the same result.

85’ – GOAL! Qarabag 0-4 Chelsea (Willian). Willian picks the ball up 35 yards from goal, turns, runs at the defence and then smashes the ball into the top corner. Great goal.

Chelsea's players celebrate the team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Qarabag FK and Chelsea FC in Baku on November 22, 2017.

Image credit: Getty Images

PLAYER RATINGS

Qarabag: Sehic 7, Agolli 6, Sadygov 4, Medvedev 5, Rzezniczak 5, Garayev 5, Michel 5, Madatov 5, Guerrier 6, Richard 6, Ndlovu 5. Subs: Diniyev 5, Yunuszade n/a, Quintana n/a.

Chelsea: Courtois 6, Azpilicueta 7, Luiz 6, Rudiger 6, Zappacosta 5, Kante 6, Fabregas 7, Alonso 6, Willian 8, Hazard 8, Pedro 6. Subs: Cahill 6, Morata 5, Drinkwater 6.