Chelsea have opened up a 3-0 lead after just 45 minutes of their Champions League game away at Schalke 04.

© Getty Images

The Blues raced out of the blocks and only a fine save prevented Diego Costa from putting the visitors ahead inside the opening 60 seconds.

However, Schalke were unable to defend the resulting corner as John Terry thumped a header into the far corner to put Chelsea 1-0 ahead after just three minutes.

The home side continued to look shaky from set pieces as Branislav Ivanovic then sliced a volley over the bar from another corner a few moments later.

Schalke came close to an equaliser against the run play in the 13th minute, but Thibaut Courtois was relieved to see Eric Choupo-Moting's deflected effort bounce back off the crossbar and away to safety.

Chelsea soon resumed control, with Costa twice almost nicking the ball from Ralf Fahrmann.

It took until the 29th minute for them to double their lead, as a slick move ended with Willian firing a low shot underneath the body of Fahrmann.

Costa then slipped with an open goal gaping before Oscar was thwarted by a Fahrmann save, but Jan Kirchoff directed the ball beyond his own goalkeeper on the stroke of half time to put Chelsea in complete control.