Torres double steers classy Chelsea past Schalke

Gelsenkirchen: Fernando Torres scored twice and Eden Hazard added a late goal as Chelsea outclassed Schalke 04 3-0 to go top of Champions League Group E on Tuesday.

Torres, making his 100th start for the London club in all competitions, produced a flying header at the far post after Branislav Ivanovic had flicked on a Frank Lampard corner in the fifth minute. The Spain international, back in the starting lineup following a knee injury earlier this month, struck again in the 69th minute when he raced clear to beat keeper Timo Hildebrand after earlier rattling the bar with a powerful header. Hazard made it 3-0 after running half the length of the field as Chelsea, who last played on German soil when they beat Bayern Munich in the 2012 final, took their points tally to six, level with Schalke but with a better goal difference. Schalke, who had won their first two games, had the lion`s share of possession but, hampered by a string of injuries that kept several players out including forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, they lacked bite up front. Chelsea started brightly and looked menacing in the opening 20 minutes although Schalke threatened to equalise after fighting back towards the end of the first half. Petr Cech was called into action as he palmed a rocket shot by Kevin-Prince Boateng over the bar and the keeper then denied Roman Neustaedter, punching away his venemous close-range header. Chelsea took control again at the start of the second half and it was no surprise when the dangerous Torres walked the ball around Hildebrand after an excellent breakaway raid by Hazard and Oscar. The Spain striker also headed the ball against the underside of the bar after a clever free kick from Frank Lampard. "I feel we are improving as a team," Torres told Sky Sports, "and the last few games I have felt very sharp." Hazard put the icing on the cake for Chelsea when he sprinted clear in the dying minutes and calmly slotted the ball past Hildebrand.