Cold-blooded Chelsea cruise to six against Qarabag

Chelsea comprehensively dispatched Azerbaijani debutants Qarabag at Stamford Bridge, as the Champions League returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time in 18 months.

A confident Chelsea team ran out 6-0 winners with first goals for Zappacosta and Bakayoko adding to goals from Pedro, Azpilicueta and Batshuayi, and an own goal from Qarabag's Medvedev. It was Chelsea's fourth consecutive win in all competitions, and Qarabag offered little threat to the West London side.

Despite the Azerbaijani champions being dubbed 'The Barcelona of the Caucuses', Chelsea went into the tie confident of securing all three points in what was, on paper, their most straightforward tie of the group stages.

Manager Antonio Conte opted to rest Alvaro Morata ahead of a spell of seven games in 21 days, and likewise chose to start star man Eden Hazard on the bench. 

Chelsea began brightly at Stamford Bridge, and were ahead within five minutes. After a series of corners, a short Willian pass to the edge of the box was met by Pedro, who was on hand to curl in emphatically.

Afforded time and space to play, with passes flowing from N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas, and both Chelsea wing-backs roaming forward at pace, chances came thick and fast for 'The Blues'. Willian was benefitting from the space in front of the box left by a Qarabag team penned back, creating an opening for Michy Batshuayi who could only hit the side netting.

Further spells of possession followed, before Davide Zappacosta delivered a second for the Blues on 30 minutes. An energetic burst down the right flank saw the Italian tee himself up to whip the ball in for Chelsea's forwards to attack in the box. The ball would fly in from 30 yards out on the right touchline, and despite Zappacosta celebrating proudly on his full debut, it seemed to be an unintentional goal on his part. 

Chelsea started off the second half where they left the first, with Spanish international Cesar Azpilicueta heading a third for Chelsea after a flurry of corners.

It was a perfect opportunity for Conte to build the fitness of Hazard and Bakayoko, both working their way back from surgeries and given half an hour with the game as good as won. The latter was on hand to net his first goal in front of the Chelsea fans, scoring from a corner after seeing his shot deflect over Qarabag keeper Sehic.

Willian, perhaps Chelsea's most dangerous attacker throughout the match, rattled the bar midway through the second half. Chelsea would find their fifth through the industrious Batshuayi, driving a low effort towards the near post from the edge of the box. Batshuayi later celebrated what he thought was his second of the night, though replays seem to confirm the official decision to mark the goal as a Medvedev own goal after Zappacosta's fierce cross into the six yard area was bundled in for Chelsea's sixth.

Whilst 'The Blues' will no doubt face tougher tests in the form of Atletico Madrid and AS Roma, Antonio Conte's side will nevertheless be pleased with a serene start to their European campaign.