
Audio By Carbonatix
Ruben Loftus-Cheek hit a brilliant hat-trick as Chelsea coasted to victory in a one-sided Europa League game against Belarusian champions Bate Borisov.
The Blues, inspired by their England midfielder, were far too strong for their opponents, stretching their lead at the top of Group L to six points with three games to play.
Loftus-Cheek swept Maurizio Sarri's side ahead with just one minute and 42 seconds on the clock after being picked out by Davide Zappacosta's low cross.
The 22-year-old doubled the lead with a side-foot volley from Willian's corner and sealed his first competitive hat-trick with a sumptuous 20-yard finish before Aleksei Rios scored a consolation.
Bate goalkeeper Denis Scherbitski produced sublime saves to keep out Zappacosta and Olivier Giroud as Chelsea dominated from start to finish.
Latest Stories
-
World Bank report does not support GARID misapplication claims – Baffour Awuah
31 minutes -
Upper West observes National Day of Prayer with renewed calls for moral reawakening
36 minutes -
Anti-Galamsey task force seizes excavators near Adansi Asokwa hospital after tip-off
43 minutes -
Nigeria to seek compensation for property abandoned by citizens fleeing South Africa
1 hour -
Greek politician’s mother dies of wounds after arson attack
1 hour -
Three die in Mexico City World Cup celebrations
1 hour -
The cost of waiting for the rains
1 hour -
Four European clubs battle for Prince Amoako Jnr’s signature
1 hour -
Issaka Seidu closes in on IFK Göteborg move after agreeing personal terms
1 hour -
NCCE dismisses reports of GH¢144m budget freeze, insists civic education activities continue
2 hours -
One Ghanaian shot dead during mass xenophobic protests in South Africa
2 hours -
Vivo Energy completes acquisition of TotalEnergies Marketing Jordan, introduces Engen brand
2 hours -
Security threats go beyond borders, linked to governance and inequality – Prof. Kwesi Aning warns
2 hours -
Prof. Kofi Agyekum: Authorship is earned, not owed: Protecting integrity in academic research
2 hours -
Ga Mantse calls for collective action, stricter enforcement to address recurring flooding in Accra
3 hours