Chelsea marked their Champions League return with a 6-0 Group C rout of Azerbaijan's Qarabag, but sterner tests await.
Goals from Pedro, Davide Zappacosta, Cesar Azpilicueta, substitute Tiemoue Bakayoko and Michy Batshuayi ensured a comfortable return to Europe's elite after last season's first absence since 2003-04. The sixth was bundled in by a combination of Batshuayi and defender Maksim Medvedev.
Chelsea next play Atletico Madrid with the saga surrounding Diego Costa rumbling on, before home and away clashes with Roma. It is those games which will determine the Blues' progress or otherwise.
See how all the action unfolded below...
Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Zappacosta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Willian, Batshuayi, Pedro
Qarabag: Sehic, Medvedev, Sadiqov, Huseynov, Jeznicak, Qarayev, Almeyda, Gerrye, Micel, Enrike, Ndlovu
GOAL! Chelsea 6-0 Qarabag (Batshuayi)
It’s abacus time.
Batshuayi makes it 6-0.
A very long way home for Qarabag.
GOAL! Chelsea 5-0 Qarabag (Batshuayi)
Oh dear.
Dreadful from the visitors.
They try to pass it out from the back and lose possession, it’s Christmas morning for Batshuayi who strikes well from the edge of the area.
It’s five!
GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Qarabag (Bakayoko)
Bakayoko nets his first Blues goal to make it 4-0.
It’s officially a rout.
Big win incoming for the Blues.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Qarabag (Azpilicueta)
Azpilicueta makes it 3-0!
The Spaniard notches a rare goal as he heads home Fabregas’ cross.
All too easy for Chelsea who are going to kick-off their Champions League campaign with three points.
3-0!
Zappacosta celebrates with the fans
Great moment for the defender as he netted his first Blues goal before the break.
And he enjoyed it with the Chelsea fans.
Conte’s side still two goals to the good.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Qarabag (Zappacosta)
Zappacosta doubles Chelsea’s lead spectacularly!
Was it a cross? Was it a shot?
We’re saying cross, but wonderful goal nonetheless, over the keeper’s head.
Chelsea cruising!
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Qarabag (Pedro)
Here’s Pedro celebrating that opener.
A stunning strike from the Spaniard, curling home from the edge of the area.
Perfect start for Antonio Conte and Chelsea.
Team news!
Here’s the sides for tonight’s match...
Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Zappacosta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Willian, Batshuayi, Pedro
Qarabag: Sehic, Medvedev, Sadiqov, Huseynov, Jeznicak, Qarayev, Almeyda, Gerrye, Micel, Enrike, Ndlovu
Welcome!
After a year in the wilderness, Chelsea are back in the Champions League and take on Azerbaijan’s finest in Qarabag in their Group C opener tonight.
Antonio Conte has hinted that he will ring the changes as the champions count down to Sunday’s crunch London derby against Arsenal.
Danny Drinkwater will miss Chelsea ‘s Champions League return against Azerbaijan’s Qarabag on Tuesday night with a calf problem. The midfielder picked up the injury in training on Sunday.
Defender and club captain Gary Cahill is back in contention after a three-game domestic ban.
Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata are set to be on the bench.
Whoever Conte picks in his starting XI, the Blues are fully expected to cruise as the Premier League champions look to lay down a marker of intent to their European rivals.
Keep track of all the drama as it unfolds at Stamford Bridge with our live minute-by-minute updates in the blog.