Chelsea 6-0 Qarabag: Eden Hazard returns to action as Antonio Conte's side open Champions League account in style by equaling highest scoring win

Daily Mail | September 12, 2017

Sterner tests await Chelsea in Europe but they made a winning return to the Champions League and may have discovered a new cult hero.

Davide Zappacosta marked his home debut with an outrageous goal, which was, in truth, probably a fluke, but lifted Stamford Bridge and sank Qarabag.

Never mind Diego Costa, still AWOL, presumed to be in Brazil, all hail Zappacosta with his striking surname and apparent mastery of the cleverly-disguised cross.

Chelsea took an early lead with Pedro stroking in his first goal of the season following a short corner involving Willian

Pedro's goal settled any nerves within the Chelsea camp with three points against the Azerbaijani champions in west London

The Spaniard wheels away towards the touchline clearly delighted with his composed finish in the opening five minutes

Davide Zappacosta looked as though he meant his strike from out wide on the right after beating two men and finding the net

Cesar Azpilicueta was unmarked as he guided a close range header into the centre of the goal from Cesc Fabregas' cross

Tiemoue Bakayoko celebrates scoring his first goal for the club by slamming in from close range as Qarabag fell apart

Michy Batshuayi slammed in Chelsea's fifth following more slack defending from their opponents as the floodgates opened

His goal was the second of the night and he created the sixth for Michy Batshuayi to bundle in at the near post.