Jose Mourinho has praised his Chelsea side for not taking their foot off the pedal during tonight's 6-0 mauling of Maribor in the Champions League.

Goals from Loic Remy, Didier Drogba and John Terry sent the Blues into a commanding 3-0 half-time lead at Stamford Bridge.

Mitja Viler's own goal made it four, before Eden Hazard's late brace completed the rout, and Mourinho admits that it was a pleasure to watch his team at their ruthless best.

"It was 3-0 at half time and on many occasions you just stop. But we carried on and wanted to score more," the Portuguese told UEFA.com.

"I told the players before the game that the best way to treat opponents that do not have the same potential you have is to play to the maximum.

"They deserve our respect and because we respected them so much we had such a solid performance."

Chelsea have won seven points out of a possible nine as the Group G leaders now sit five points clear of third-placed Maribor and well positioned for a spot in the last 16.

Schalke 04, who edged a seven-goal thriller at home to Sporting Lisbon this evening, sit two points behind Mourinho's troops.