UEFA Europa League
Result: Chelsea 3-1 BATE Borisov
Date: 25 October 2018
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Ruben Loftus-Cheek bagged a hat-trick to inspire Chelsea to a 3-1 victory over BATE Borisov in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening.
The home side broke the deadlock as early as the second minute, with Loftus-Cheek firing home on his return to the starting line-up.
It was 2-0 six minutes later as Loftus-Cheeck completed his brace by poking home from close range, following some good work by Willian.
BATE could not recover from the early set-backs and found it tough to carve out any chances of their own, as Maurizio Sarri's charges took control of the encounter.
Loftus-Cheek nearly bagged his and Chelsea's third in the 38th minute, but he nodded wide of the upright after being picked out by Pedro Rodriguez from the flank.
That proved to be the final bit of goal-mouth action in the half as the Blues shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga endured a quiet opening 45 minutes.
Eight minutes into the second half, Loftus-Cheek managed to complete his hat-rick. Pedro laid the ball on a plate for the midfielder, who calmly placed his effort into the bottom corner.
With the Blues comfortably leading, Sarri threw on Victor Moses and Callum Hudson-Odoi for Willian and Pedro for the final 20 minutes of the game.
BATE managed to pull a goal back in the 80th minute as Ihar Stasevich's in-swinging free-kick found Alexei Rios, who powered a header past Arrizabalaga.
In the end, 3-1 was how the score remained as the Blues maintained top spot in Group L with three wins from three matches.
