Schalke 0-5 Chelsea
Jose Mourinho put Chelsea’s stunning Champions League victory against Roberto Di Matteo’s Schalke side on Tuesday down to team confidence.
In a game in which Chelsea could have scored more, John Terry opened the floodgates before Willian and a Jan Kirchoff own goal put the away side three up at half time.
The Blues’ dominance and desire continued in the second half, substitutes Didier Drogba and Ramires scored to add insult to injury for Di Matteo’s side.
There was no love lost for ex-Chelsea boss Di Matteo as the resounding victory means Mourinho’s men win Group G with a game in hand and look strong contenders to go far in the competition.
Mourinho said: “The team is very confident, to win away in the Champions League 5-0 in is not normal, 5-0 away in Germany is even less normal, but the performance was very complete.
“The reality is that the team is playing really well and we have strong self belief and the team is really confident.”
Chelsea hit the ground running, Diego Costa bursting through to force keeper Ralf Fahrmann into conceding a corner, which Terry headed home on two minues – the Blues’ fastest ever Champions league goal.
Eric Choupo-Moting brought Schalke supporters the closest to a moment of joy, his deflected shot looped over the helpless Thibault Courtois, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Chelsea moved up a gear and after some well organised passing, the Blues were rewarded on 29 minutes with a second as Willian slotted home from right edge of the box.
Chelsea then almost added a third, a sloppy back pass set Costa through but he slipped and the Schalke defence recovered.
Minutes later a delightful chip ball into the box from Cesc Fabregas sent Oscar through on goal, but his five-yard volley went wide was turned behind.
The resulting corner again exposed Schalke’s weaknesses, Kirchhoff comically sending the ball into his own net from a free header on 44 minutes.
The game slowed in pace in the second half until Branislav Ivanovic’s almost magic moment, when his thunderous cross-goal volley whistled inches wide.
Substitutes brought Mourinho’s men fresh legs as they continued to torment Di Matteo’s side, Drogba adding a fourth on 76 minutes from a tap in.
Drogba turned provider two minutes later, lifting a cross ball into the path of a leaping Ramires who headed into the top right corner three minutes after coming on.
The home side tried in vain to respond, Christian Clemens giving Courtois arguably his hardest test of the night, a half-hearted volley from 25 yards.
Chelsea continued to work tirelessly, epitomised in injury time by Eden Hazard’s effort on the counter which was denied only by a good save.
The Blues’ final Champions League fixture is at home to Sporting Lisbon on December 10.
