Conte says Chelsea ready for Liverpool after handing Qarabag a thrashing

Manager says Premier League champions could have scored more goals against Azerbaijan side during 4-0 win

Soccer Football - Champions League - Qarabag vs Chelsea - Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan - November 22, 2017  Chelsea's Willian celebrates scoring their second goal with Eden Hazard    Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
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Chelsea powered into the Uefa Champions League last 16 as Eden Hazard and Willian inspired a 4-0 thrashing of 10-man Qarabag on Wednesday.

Antonio Conte's side reached the knockout stages with a game to spare thanks to influential displays from Hazard and Willian at the Olympic Stadium that knocked Azerbaijanis Qarabag out of the competition.

Chelsea will go into their last Group C fixture against Atletico Madrid, who take on Roma at the Wanda Metropolitano later on Wednesday, on 10 points and still in with a chance of finishing top.

Hazard scored Chelsea's first-half opener from the penalty spot after his pass to Willian provoked a foul on the Brazilian from Rashad Sadygov, who was sent off as a result.

Willian doubled Chelsea's lead nine minutes before the interval, collecting Hazard's deft back-heeled pass before rolling home.

Cesc Fabregas netted Chelsea's third from the spot in the 73rd minute after another foul on Willian, and the Brazil international crashed home his second in the closing moments.

The English champions were heavily criticised after a woeful loss at Roma in their previous Champions League match, but have now won three in a row in all competitions.

Highlights from Chelsea's win

"We did everything well. We should have scored more. It is easy to play with these good players," Hazard said. "We have a big game at Liverpool on Saturday so it was good to have a small rest. We are ready for Saturday."

Conte had bemoaned the fixture schedule that sends Chelsea to Liverpool for a crucial Premier League game on Saturday, just 48 hours after they return to London from the 8,000-kilometre round trip to Azerbaijan.

But he still fielded a strong side, with David Luiz starting in defence for the first time since being dropped after a reported training ground row with the Blues boss following the Roma defeat.

Conte's side had thrashed Qarabag 6-0 in September, but they almost fell behind early on in Baku when Maksim Medvedev was allowed to advance into the area with little resistance.

Michel picked up possession and lashed a fierce shot against a post before the rebound was blazed over.

Hazard was nominally Chelsea's central striker but the Belgian playmaker had freedom to roam and it was from a deeper position that he triggered his side's 21st-minute opener.

Threading a pin-point pass behind the Qarabag defence, Hazard sent Willian clear on goal and the Brazil winger tumbled into the area after Sadygov grabbed at his arm.

Referee Manuel de Sousa saw enough contact to give Chelsea the penalty and sent off Sadygov.

Qarabag were furious but Hazard ignored their complaints to stroke home the spot-kick for his sixth goal in his last seven appearances.

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He followed the opener with an extravagant touch to help double Chelsea's lead in the 36th minute.

Pedro started the swaggering move with a flick into the path of Willian, who guided the ball to Hazard.

The Belgian baffled the Qarabag defence with a sublime back-heeled pass into Willian and he made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Conte's team struck for a third time in the 73rd minute when Gara Garayev conceded a penalty with a tug on Willian.

Fabregas's initial spot-kick was ruled out for encroachment, but the Spaniard was unflustered as he slotted home again.

Chelsea were not done and Willian capped the rout with a stinging strike from the edge of the area in the 85th minute.