Chelsea qualify for Champions League knockout stages with win over Qarabag

Chelsea have booked their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League after beating Qarabag in Baku on Wednesday.

The Blues came into their game in the Azerbaijani capital knowing that victory would see them go through to the last 16, and they achieved that after a brace from Willian and further goals from Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas - both penalties - secured a 4-0 win against Qarabag.

The qualification will be pleasing for Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, who was eager to relieve the pressure on his players ahead of their final Group C Champions League fixture at home to Atletico Madrid on 5 December.

The Premier League champions enjoyed a stunning start to this season's group stages, thrashing Qarabag 6-0 at home in September before coming from behind to beat Atletico 2-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano.

But a 3-3 draw against Roma at Stamford Bridge followed by a 3-0 loss in the reverse fixture saw Chelsea drop into second place in Group C.

However, the players responded by beating Qarabag on Wednesday to book their place in the next round of Europe's premier competition.