Chelsea, Manchester United makes victories return to the Champions League
The win was always likely to be the easiest game in the group but tougher test lies ahead for the Blues, with Roma and Atletico Madrid the other two teams in Group C. Those sides drew 0-0 in Rome's Olympic Stadium.
The Premier League champions Chelsea equalled their biggest Champions League win by thrashing the competition debutants Qarabag. The Blues made their return to European competition after failing to qualify last season rested several key players but still won with ease.
The result equals our best ever win in the Champions League, a 6-0 victory over Maribor in October 2014! Emphatic. #CHEQAR pic.twitter.com/8e86CX1fWv
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 12, 2017
The Spanish international Pedro opened the scoring in a sublime 20-yard curler from Willian’s play-off which was followed up by another top-notch finish by new signing Zappacosta, who ran 50 yards down the right wing, before sending over a cross that flew past the goalkeeper.
After that goal kept coming, defender Azpilicueta, Bakayoko added one-a piece while Batshuayi scored twice in the final 15 minutes to end the goal fest. The Blues deserved to win as emphatically as they did and could have scored more with Marcos Alonso and Willian, who also smashed the ball off the crossbar in the second half, forcing saves from Sehic.
The win was always likely to be the easiest game in the group but tougher test lies ahead for the Blues, with Roma and Atletico Madrid the other two teams in Group C. Those sides drew 0-0 in Rome's Olympic Stadium.
FT: #MUFC 3 FC Basel 0. Goals from Fellaini, Lukaku and Rashford make it a winning start in the #UCL! pic.twitter.com/tJx9FR0Ait
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 12, 2017
Another English side made their Champions League comeback in a winning manner, the Red Devils outclassed Swiss side Basel in a deserved home victory. Maroune Fellaini was the first to strike a blow with a first-half header before goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford sealed the perfect start for United. The youngster has now scored in his first appearance in the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, and League Cup and for England.
The scoreline could have been even greater for Jose Mourinho's dominant side, making their first appearance in Europe's premier club competition since 2015, having qualified by winning the Europa League in May.