Full time goes here following an outstanding performance from Chelsea. As for Shalke you can’t really begin to explain how poor they were. It was truly men against boys and Chelsea book their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League. Outstanding stuff from the London club tonight.
FINAL SCORE:
Shalke 0
Chelsea 5
It looks set to be an emotional game as Chelsea face former manager Roberto Di Matteo when they travel to Gelsenkirchen to take on Schalke 04 in the UEFA Champions League. Join us here on The Roar from 6:45am (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
It’ll be the first time that Di Matteo has faced his former club since the much loved Italian guided the London Club to their first ever Champions League triumph in 2012. Di Matteo took over at Schalke after the axing of Jens Keller in October.
A win for Chelsea will all but seal top spot amongst Group G with the Londoners currently sitting three points clear of Schalke with two games to go in the group stage.
Schalke will be desperate to get through to the next stage and a win would guarantee they stay in second spot in the group.
Schalke will be confident with the German side losing just five games from their last 20 European home matches, however they will be wary that Chelsea are one of Europe’s in-form teams with Mourinho’s men winning 14 of their 18 matches this season.
In fact the last loss Chelsea suffered was against Athletico Madrid in the semi-final of last year’s Champions League.
Team news:
Schalke will still be without Julian Draxler who remains out following a serious thigh injury suffered against Augsberg last month.
Sead Kolasinac and Jefferson Farfan are also both out of contention for the visit of Chelsea due to long-term knee problems, and Fabian Giefer is also unlikely to feature due to a hip injury.
Chelsea look set to travel to Germany fully fit giving Mourinho a host of options for tonight’s encounter.
Fast facts:
Chelsea have never been defeated by Schalke in the five times the two clubs have met. The London club has won three, with the other two games resulting in draws.
Schalke have only ever scored once against Chelsea and have conceded nine goals in the five games.
Schalke have only defeated an English side at home once in five games in the Champions League. They drew two and lost two.
Player to watch: Cesc Fabregas
The Spaniard has been a breath of fresh air since arriving in London in 12 matches he has already assisted 10 goals, that’s a great strike rate and one he will be hoping to continue.
Prediction:
I think this will be a good game, but I think Chelsea will be going for the kill in this one so they can play their B-side in the last group game.
Chelsea 2-0.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 5 Full time goes here in an outstanding performance from Chelsea as for Shalke you can't really begin to explain how poor they were. It was truly men against boys and Chelsea book their place in the knockout stage of the competition. Outstanding stuff from the London club tonight. That's all from me today, enjoy your day.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'90 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 5 Another easy one for Courtois as we enter two minutes of extra time.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'89 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 5 Again another easy save for Courtois he has had one of the easiest night's of his career tonight!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'86 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 5 Drogba off side and he looks to play Shurrle in but he's offside the big man. Di Matteo has just had no answers today for his old side. Mourinho is the master. Now another errant back pass that nearly allows Drogba an easy shot on goal. Cleaned up well by Fahrmann but it's almost as if Shalke is off their rocket.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'84 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 5 Six minutes plus extra time for Shalke to endure in this one.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'82 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 5 Hazard now flashes one across the face of goal, it could've so easily have been six. It's still a mighty looking scoreline!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'80 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 5 Unreal performance from Chelsea tonight they've just been on another level tonight and it's shown, just been men against boys.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'77 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 5 2 goals for Chelsea There is the icing on the cake. Two go through following a lovely pass and Willian just plays it across to Drogba and it's a simple sweaty tap in. This has been an embarrassing performance from Shalke and before I can even type about this goal. Drogba plays it right across the goal and Ramires scores with the header! Now Fabregas comes off for a rest and Shurrle comes on.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'75 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Crowd just seems to be watching this in awe, they've barely raised the voice in this second half. Oscar will now be subbed for fellow Brazilian Ramires.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'73 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Game just slowing down at the moment as Oscar is caught in an offside position.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'71 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Shalke now go in search of that illusive goal, it's a poor shot in reality from Hoger and now Chelsea will go on the attack but they too cough it up. Uchida can't punish them and Chelsea are now in a good attacking position. Drogba plays a nice ball across to Willian who toys with the defence before playing Ivanovic who tries the one two with Oscar but it's cut out by Santana.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'68 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Drogba now gets on the ball before playing a loose ball and now Hoger is down behind play and Azilpucueta is also feeling quite sore. It was a nice clash of knees one that makes your own knee tingle a little!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'65 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Chelsea would just be happy to get away without any injuries in this one. Now the sub is coming for Chelsea and it's Drogba coming on for Costa. That's smart from Mourinho don't risk the strike man.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'63 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Boateng comes off and Meyer comes on for Shalke.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'62 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Now Oscar's shot is deflected down to Costa and he makes a meal of it and he misses it. Willian really should've played Costa in earlier and it may have easily have been 4.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'60 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Willian now plays a ball across to Ivanovic who has a real lash at the volley and it just misses the left top corner. That would've just about done it!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'57 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Clemens has added some real zip to Shalke, this time he gets into the box and gets the pass from Uchida, it looks like he will have an open shot before he is shut down well by Terry. Costa is now given off side.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'53 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 It looks like every time Chelsea go forward they're going to score. I'm seriously surprised Mourinho hasn't decided to rest some of his real A-Graders. Maybe that will come later, but Chelsea is about to come into a heavy schedule and this game is all but cooked. Clemens now sends a header at Courtois but it's tame to say the least and easily handled.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'50 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Nice cross comes in from Huntelaar but it just goes behind Boateng. That was nice from Shalke there but from the corner Chelsea break through Oscar before it's nicely intercepted at the back.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'49 - Shalke 0 vs Chelsea 3 Hazard plays a peach of a ball to Ivanovic who in turn plays Willian into the box, he then gets tricky before losing control and it goes out for a goal kick.