English Premier League (EPL) champions Chelsea have qualified for the first knockout stage of the Champions League following their 4-0 win over lowly Qarabag away from home.

The Blues started as massive favourites and that position was strengthened after Qarabag defender Rashad Sadygov was sent off for a professional foul. Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard scored the resultant penalty with 21 minutes gone before Brazilian star Willian added a second goal nine minutes from the interval.

Spanish midfielder Cess Fabregas netted Chelsea’s third from another spot kick before Willian completed his brace with five minutes left to give the Stamford Bridge outfit a comprehensive victory and a place in the last 16.

Chelsea have now joined Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the first knockout stage.

In the other early Champions League kickoff, goals from Georgi Schennikov and Jardel OG gave CSKA Moscow a 2-0 win over Portuguese champions Benfica at home thus boosting their chances of securing a place in the first knockout stages.