Chelsea vs Borisov, Europa League: Ruben Loftus-Cheek hits hat-trick to clinch victory

Re-live all the action from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea host their Belarusian opponents at Stamford Bridge (AP)

Ruben Loftus-Cheek fired a hat-trick for his first Chelsea goals in 30 months to seal the Blues' 3-1 Europa League win over BATE Borisov at Stamford Bridge.

England midfielder Loftus-Cheek is yet to start a Premier League match under new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, but handed the taskmaster Italian an acute reminder of his talents with a coolly-taken treble.

Chelsea hardly had to shift into third gear to chug past their misfiring visitors and cement top spot in Group L, Aleksei Rios' late header scant consolation for the Belarusians.

Loftus-Cheek pressed his Premier League claims though, with his first Chelsea goals since finding the net in a 4-0 FA Cup win over Aston Villa on April 2, 2016.

The 22-year-old's six-minute brace had Chelsea two goals to the good just eight minutes in - and everything after that proved facile in the extreme.

Loftus-Cheek will care not on BATE's ineptitude however, and can rightly cite this free-scoring turn in future chats with manager Sarri over polite requests for more league action.

Re-live all the action below:

[25 October 2018 15:44 · Jack Watson]

Welcome!

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Chelsea vs BATE Borisov in the Europa League. Exciting, isn't it?

Eden Hazard fans, look away now. 

[25 October 2018 18:59 · Jack Watson]

Team news

[25 October 2018 20:02 · Jack Sear]

We're underway at Stamford Bridge!

[25 October 2018 20:03 · Jack Sear]

2 minutes: Chelsea 0-0 BATE Borisov

Can Chelsea find that spark without Eden Hazard tonight? Willian has started in the Belgian's usual role on the left-hand side.

[25 October 2018 20:04 · Jack Sear]

WHAT A START! CHELSEA LEAD! IT'S RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK!

[25 October 2018 20:05 · Jack Sear]

3 minutes: Chelsea 1-0 BATE Borisov

That's a fine goal. Zappacosta flies down the right-hand side and pulls the ball back to England midfielder Loftus-Cheek, who fires home inside the box. Just the start Maurizio Sarri's side needed.

[25 October 2018 20:07 · Jack Sear]

4 minutes: Chelsea 1-0 BATE Borisov

A nice moment for Loftus-Cheek, too. That's his first goal for the Blues since April 2016.

[25 October 2018 20:08 · Jack Sear]

6 minutes: Chelsea 1-0 BATE Borisov

Loftus-Cheek has had a tough time of it this season. He played regular football on loan with Crystal Palace last season but has struggled to work his way into Sarri's plans so far. He starts alongside Cesc Fabregas and Mateo Kovacic in midfield tonight.

[25 October 2018 20:09 · Jack Sear]

7 minutes: Chelsea 1-0 BATE Borisov

Chelsea are already seeking a second goal. Willian's shot is deflected out for a corner, which comes to nothing.

The Blues certainly look in the mood, though.

[25 October 2018 20:10 · Jack Sear]

GOAL! LOFTUS-CHEEK MAKES IT TWO!