Blues book place in Champions League With Dazzling Victory

The Blues thoroughly outclassed their opponents, led by former player and Champions League-winning manager Roberto Di Matteo, and enjoyed the perfect start when captain John Terry opened the scoring inside two minutes.

Didier Drogba came off the bench to net his 50th European goal and then set up fellow substitute Ramires to seal a rampant win.

The result sees Chelsea, who continued their unbeaten start to the season, open up a comfortable lead at the top of Group G, booking their place in the last-16 with 11 points from five games.

Chelsea dominated the opening stages, but Schalke were a whisker away from snatching a fortunate equaliser when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting saw his 25-yard effort deflect off Gary Cahill and over the head of a stranded Thibaut Courtois, only for the crossbar to come to the Blues’ rescue.

Costa eventually made way for club hero Drogba, and the Ivorian made up for his team-mates' wastefulness by notching his 50th European goal with a simple finish after unselfish play from Willian, who masterfully brought down a long ball forward and squared for the striker to tap in.