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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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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