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 20:11 · Jack Sear]

8 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

What a night this is already turning out to be for Ruben Loftus-Cheek. He has his second goal of the night within eight minutes.

This time he finishes well after flicking home from a corner. Chelsea are in cruise control.

[25 October 2018 20:13 · Jack Sear]

11 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

Maurizio Sarri made eight changes to his side tonight but the Blues look to be full of confidence. A long night waits ahead for Belarusian side BATE.

[25 October 2018 20:14 · Jack Sear]

12 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

Chelsea are nearly in again as Pedro nearly gets on the end of a typically clever pass from Fabregas. 

[25 October 2018 20:16 · Jack Sear]

14 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

Davide Zappacosta certainly looks in the mood tonight. He has his work cut out if he's to displace Azpilicueta as first-choice right-back this season, but he's proving to be a real good option for Sarri.

[25 October 2018 20:17 · Jack Sear]

15 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

Somehow BATE just about stop Chelsea from adding a third. Pedro's effort is deflected just wide for a corner, before Christensen fails to turn the ball home from close range.

[25 October 2018 20:19 · Jack Sear]

16 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is on a hat-trick and he looks eager to get it. A chipped ball into the box nearly finds his way to the England man at the back post, only for the keeper to collect.

[25 October 2018 20:20 · Jack Sear]

18 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

The away side aren't putting any pressure on Chelsea at all, here. They look beaten already.

[25 October 2018 20:23 · Jack Sear]

20 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

The intensity of the home side is proving to be very difficult to deal with for BATE, here. Kovacic, in particular, has been a constant menace in midfield.

[25 October 2018 20:26 · Jack Sear]

23 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

That was very nice from Emerson Palmieri, the left back turns brilliantly inside the Blues' half before setting Chelsea on the attack.

Willian chips the ball towards Kovacic at the back post, who brings it down before BATE manage to clear.

[25 October 2018 20:29 · Jack Sear]

26 minutes: Chelsea 2-0 BATE Borisov

This is just a keep-ball session for Chelsea, who look like they could get themselves a third goal whenever they please.

Some neat play on the edge of the box ends in Fabregas' shot being blocked.