Olivier Giroud scored four as a second-string Chelsea side thrashed Sevilla to seal top position in Champions League Group E.
The Blues, for whom only Edouard Mendy and Mateo Kovacic retained starting eleven spots from Sunday's draw with Spurs, attacked from the outset and were full value for Giroud's opener after eight minutes when he had time to turn onto his left foot and side-foot home after being set up by Kai Havertz.
Sevilla had a lot of the play for the rest of the first half but Chelsea still looked the more dangerous side and came out brightly after the break with the French striker doubling the lead with a cultured dink over Alfonso Pastor after being played in by Kovacic.
A triple change midway through the half brought N'Golo Kante on and 16 minutes from time he crossed perfectly from the right flank for his compatriot to power a header home in trademark style.
Giroud was bundled over in the box by Sergi Gomez with seven minutes to go and dusted himself down to send Pastor the wrong way from the spot, before Frank Lampard finally had mercy on his opponents and brought him off.
Chelsea now have 13 points from five games, with Sevilla on ten also guaranteed a spot in the next round.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana-Russia Centre to run Russian language courses in Ghana
3 hours -
The Hidden Costs of Hunger: How food insecurity undermines mental and physical health in the U.S.
3 hours -
18plus4NDC marks 3rd anniversary with victory celebration in Accra
6 hours -
CREMA workshop highlights collaborative efforts to sustain Akata Lagoon
6 hours -
2024/25 Ghana League: Heart of Lions remain top with win over Basake Holy Stars
7 hours -
Black Queens: Nora Hauptle shares cryptic WAFCON preparation message amid future uncertainty
8 hours -
Re-declaration of parliamentary results affront to our democracy – Joyce Bawah
8 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Vision FC score late to deny Young Apostles third home win
8 hours -
Enhancing community initiatives for coastal resilience: Insights from Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site Workshop
8 hours -
Family Health University College earns a Presidential Charter
8 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Bibiani GoldStars beat Nsoatreman to keep title race alive
8 hours -
GPL 2024/25 Bechem United keep title hopes alive with narrow win over FC Samartex
8 hours -
2024/25: Dauda Saaka scores as Asante Kotoko beat Dreams FC
9 hours -
M.anifest reflects on galamsey’s devastation 11 years after ‘No Shortcut to Heaven’
9 hours -
We’ll have the last laugh – Sammy Gyamfi slams EC’s “cantata” re-collation
9 hours