Chelsea closed on a place in the Champions League knockout phase with a 3-0 win over German side Schalke, which reasserted their control of Group E with their 100th victory in the UEFA competition
Chelsea can now qualify for the last 16 with a draw in their next match at Basel, whose 1-1 draw at home to Steaua Bucharest in the other group game took some of the sting out of defeat for Schalke.
According to Sport24, Schalke goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand's error gifted Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o the opening goal and he claimed his second goal of the game a second shortly after half-time before substitute Demba Ba added a late third.
The victory left Jose Mourinho's side three points clear of Schalke at the top of the group with two matches to come and assured them of a place in the Europa League, which they won last season after a group-phase exit in the Champions League, the report added.
