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Antonio Conte's Chelsea became the third English team to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase this season after their convincing win over minnows Qarabag in group C. The Blues enjoyed a numerical advantage over their opponents from early on in the first half after Qarabag captain Rashad Sadygov was sent off in the 19th minute after a challenge on Willian who was through on goal.
Chelsea ran out comfortable winners in the end thanks to goals from Eden Hazard, a brace from Willian and Cesc Fabregas. The Premier League champions currently sit first in group C with 10 points closely followed by Roma who are scheduled to play Atletico Madrid later tonight.
Here's how the players from both sides were rated on the night:
FK Qarabag
Ibrahim Sehic - 6/10
The goalkeeper could do nothing to stop the penalties conceded by his defenders and salvaged some pride by pulling off a couple of good saves from Alvaro Morata and Cesc Fabregas in the second half. The margin of loss would have been bigger if not for him in goal for Qarabag.
Maksim Medvedev - 5/10
Medvedev took on the armband from Sadygov after he was sent off but he could not prevent the floodgates from opening as Chelsea romped past them. He also picked up a booking while protesting after Qarabag conceded the second penalty of the night in the 70th minute.
Rashad Sadygov - 3/10
A night to forget for the Azerbaijan veteran who brought down Willian inside the penalty area in the 18th minute and left the referee with no choice but to give him marching orders.
Jakub Rzezniczak - 4/10
Rzezniczak was on the receiving end of a hammering like the other Qarabag defenders and the fact that they were at a numerical disadvantage for the majority of the game didn't help him either. He picked up a booking in the 40th minute after a poor challenge on Pedro.
Ansi Agolli - 5/10
The full-back would have loved the possibility of going forward and contributing to attack but their disadvantage helped Zappacosta and Pedro to keep him occupied deep down his own half.
Richard Almeida - 4/10
Almeida could do little about keeping a check on Willian and Fabregas after both of them started operating effectively down the centre of the pitch. He was a passenger in a midfield that was stomped over by Chelsea.
Gara Garayev - 5/10
A disappointing night for the Azerbaijan international who failed to make a mark in the game. Garayev spent the majority of the game in his own half trying to make up for the numerical disadvantage as Chelsea cruised to victory.
Donald Guerrier - 5/10
Guerrier was forced back to his own half on a regular basis due to the antics of Hazard and Marcos Alonso down the left flank. The duo continued their form from the weekend and gave the Qarabag winger little freedom to contribute while going forward.
Michel - 6/10
The Spaniard came the closest to scoring for Qarabag when he hit the woodwork early on after a swift movement initiated by himself. If that strike had gone in off the bar, the whole complexion of the game would have changed.
Mahir Madatov - 4/10
Madatov disappointed on the night and could not contribute anything to compliment his teammates on the pitch. He was subbed off right after half-time and that put an end to his dismal performance on the night.
Dino Ndlovu - 5/10
The South-African was left out all on his own at the top with no support whatsoever. Perhaps Ndlovu could have done better with some service but Qarabag could do nothing to provide opportunities for their man up front.
Substitutes
Joshgun Diniyev - 4/10
The midfielder came on in the 46th minute for Madatov but failed to make any impact as Chelsea continued their domination.
Elvin Yunuszada - N/A
Came on in the 81st minute for Guerrier.
Dani Quintana - N/A
Came on in the 85th minute for Ndlovu.
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois - 7/10
The Belgian had a comfortable day in goal and did not have to make any challenging saves throughout the game. Courtois never really looked like conceding against Qarabag and came out with a clean sheet.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7/10
Azpilicueta was yet again successful for Chelsea and formed a back three that was hard to break down on the night. He contributed to attack as well by putting in a few crosses in the right areas and later shifted to a left wingback role after the introduction of Gary Cahill.
David Luiz - 6/10
The Brazilian enjoyed coming back into the line-up against Qarabag and managed to stay focused throughout the game. However, it is almost as clear as daylight that he will lose his spot to Andreas Christensen, who was rested on the night for the game against Liverpool.
Antonio Rudiger - 7/10
Rudiger showed great composure over the ball and also contributed a few forward passes that came out good. He also managed to win the first ball on a couple of instances and never looked under pressure.
Davide Zappacosta - 6/10
The Italian was hardly troubled inside his own half and went deep into the opponent's half on several occasions. However, his quality in the final third remains questionable and Chelsea fans will be hoping for the return of Victor Moses.
N'Golo Kante - 7/10
Chelsea's midfield engine was at its best yet again as Kante operated up and down the pitch without even showing any signs of slowing down. The Frenchman was taken off in the 74th minute and has only added to Chelsea's strengths ever since his return from injury
Cesc Fabregas - 8/10
Fabregas quickly settled into the game and pulled the strings for Chelsea from midfield. He dictated play beautifully and proved yet again that he can pick out a pass from anywhere on the pitch. The Spaniard was rewarded with a goal after he converted Chelsea's second penalty of the night.
Marcos Alonso - 6/10
Alonso enjoyed playing behind Hazard on the night and provided ample support on the left flank for the Belgian. The duo continued their form from the weekend at the Hawthorns, however, Alonso had nothing to show for it. He was replaced by Cahill just before the hour mark.
Willian - 9/10
Willian was arguably Chelsea's best player on the night and bagged two goals for the Blues. He was also responsible for winning the two penalties that were successfully converted by them. A defining performance from the Brazilian who formed a clinical partnership with Hazard.
Pedro - 7/10
Pedro established himself in the dynamic front three for Chelsea on the night and also played a part in the build-up to Willian's first goal which was superbly executed by the team.
Eden Hazard - 8/10
Hazard picked up from where he left off against West Brom in the weekend and tore apart the Qarabag defenders through his well-timed dribbles and excellent link-up play. The Belgian opened the scoring for the Blues and also grabbed an assist before being subbed off after the hour mark.
Substitutes
Gary Cahill - 6/10
Cahill replaced Alonso in the 57th minute and fit in perfectly to the Chelsea backline that came away with a clean sheet in Baku.
Alvaro Morata - 6/10
Morata came on in the 64th minute in place of Hazard and was the focal point of a few Chelsea attacks towards the end but his poor finishing on the night prevented him from grabbing a goal or two.
Danny Drinkwater - N/A
Came on in the 75th minute for Kante.
