Chelsea put four past hapless Juventus to qualify for Champions League knockout
Chelsea hand Juventus biggest European defeat ever
Reigning European champions Chelsea put on a show at Stamford Bridge as they thrashed Juventus 4-0 to go top of Group H and secure their place in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Reeling from a 1-0 first-leg defeat to the Old Lady, Chelsea were determined to hand Juventus their first defeat in the UEFA Champions League, and the Blues started the stronger of both sides.
Chelsea took the lead after 25 minutes as 22-year-old academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah scored on his first UEFA Champions League start. The defender reacted quickest after the ball bounced off Antonio Rudiger from a corner, firing a half-volley home from close range.
Juventus came within inches of equalising minutes later as former Blues striker Alvaro Morata chipped the ball over Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, but veteran defender Thiago Silva produced a brilliant goal line clearance to deny Morata a goal against his former employers.
Chelsea remained in control and finally doubled their advantage in the 55th minute through red-hot right-wing back Reece James. The English youngster was on hand to lash home a fierce shot from inside the box to make it 2-0 to the home side.
Three minutes later, Chelsea added a third through Callum Hudson-Odoi, another academy graduate. The winger was on hand to fire home a fine effort after Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked the Juventus defence apart with a fine dribbling run.
Chelsea continued to press for more goals, and they got their fourth with literally the last kick of the match. Substitute Timo Werner marked his return from injury with a close-range finish following a brilliant low cross from Hakim Ziyech in the final minute of time added on.
Chelsea handed Juventus their biggest ever defeat in European football, and their first four-goal defeat in all competitions since February 2004. The champions have now secured their place in the Round of 16 and will secure top spot if they defeat Zenit St Petersburg on the final matchday.
