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Berlin, Nov 26 (IANS) English club Chelsea have entered the round of the last sixteen of the UEFA Champions League with a 5-0 rout of German club Schalke in a Group G match.
Chelsea smoothed the way for the victory Tuesday with three first-half goals, as Schalke were unable to fight back on home soil, reports Xinhua.
The hosts suffered the worst possible start into the encounter as Chelsea opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock. Defender John Terry headed home midfielder Cesc Fabregas' corner from six meters.
Schalke were insecure and unable to keep Chelsea at bay as midfielder Willian doubled the scores in the 29th minute when he capitalised a one-two pass with Eden Hazard to slot home with a low shot from 13 meters into the near post corner.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts just before the break. Fabregas crossed another corner into the box before midfielder Jan Kirchhoff tripled the lead by header with an own goal at the near post.
Schalke never gained a foothold into the game and failed to put up some resistance. Chelsea kept up the pressure and extended their lead when Fabregas' through ball found Willian, who teed up for Didier Drogba who tapped into the open goal in the 76th minute.
Chelsea scored again as forward Didier Droga assisted Ramires. The Brazilian midfielder had no problems to round off the 5-0 victory two minutes later.
With the victory Chelsea, clinched the first place in Group G with eleven points. Schalke sit on second place with five points, followed by Sporting Clube de Portugal with four points and Maribor with three points.
"If you concede one goal in the opening period things get very difficult. We showed too much respect for Chelsea. However, Chelsea demonstrated all their qualities," Schalke coach Roberto Di Matteo said.
" We deservedly lost today. That was an embarrassing performance. I am very angry. How we lost is inacceptable," Schalke manager Horst Heldt said.
