Schalke 3-0

Independent:

FC Schalke 0 Chelsea 3
Two-goal Torres leads Chelsea all the way to the top
By SIMON JOHNSON

Fernando Torres used to be associated with a good sense of timing and he chose his 100th start for Chelsea to score a vital two goals that now put them on a much smoother path to the last 16 of the Champions League
Manager Jose Mourinho may have his grudges towards Cardiff City and perhaps the Football Association after being charged with improper conduct, but he can have no complaints about his team’s form or the way Torres is now playing. In fact this is just the kind of result to improve his mood, as the opening defeat to Basel becomes a distant memory with successive away victories lifting them to the top of Group E.
Despite Torres being something of an enigma since he joined Chelsea for a British record £50m from Liverpool in 2011,  something certainly seems to happen to him the moment he gets on a plane to participate on the continent. The Spaniard’s nerves evaporate and the prolific marksmen returns.
There was nothing special about his strike which put Chelsea in front inside five minutes, calmly steering the ball in at the far post after Branislav Ivanovic flicked on Frank Lampard’s corner at the near post. What was so extraordinary is that he now boasts a remarkable record of scoring seven goals in his last eight European games for Chelsea.
Torres was very much the hero as Chelsea coasted past mediocre opposition last term to claim the Europa League, netting six times, including in the final against Benfica.
In contrast, his record in England’s top division continues to be woeful, with one solitary effort to his name in the past 10 months, however Chelsea won’t care if his midas touch can continue in Europe’s premier club competition.
He certainly provided an early justification for Mourinho’s decision to select him ahead of Samuel Eto’o, even though the Cameroonian who scored his first goal for the club at the weekend.
It was one of five changes Mourinho decided to make to his starting XI, including David Luiz, following Saturday’s gaffe against Cardiff, being dropped in favour of Gary Cahill, who was making his first start for Chelsea in four weeks.
Despite the rotation, Chelsea were quick to find their stride, although the early goal from Torres was always going to help ease the tension.
Schalke were sluggish in comparison, letting Chelsea have all the time and space they wanted in the opening quarter to dictate terms. They had already looked like generous hosts by allowing Chelsea to play in their blue home kit, which meant they had to switch to a jade number instead.
Perhaps it was the reason why Schalke keeper Timo Hildebrand cleared the ball in bizarre fashion straight to Frank Lampard in the eighth minute, but fortunately for him the England international fired a tame effort back at the empty net from 40 yards out and he had plenty of time to recover.
One of the more eagerly anticipated match-ups was on Chelsea’s right flank between two of Europe’s most exciting wingers, Eden Hazard and Julian Draxler. It looked a deliberate ploy by Mourinho to distract the thrilling Draxler by making him worry about Hazard running in the opposite direction. If so, it had the desired effect.
The Germany international showed only the odd flash of the skill that has led many of Europe’s top clubs to cast admiring glances in his direction. One sublime pass through to Dennis Aogo led to keeper Petr Cech being forced into a fine save, although the assistant referee flagged for offside anyway.
The incident still galvanised the home side, with Atsuto Uchida firing one shot over, while Cech was forced into two saves before the break from Kevin Prince Boateng and Roman Neustädter.
Ironically, given Mourinho’s rant about Cardiff’s time-wasting tactics, Chelsea suddenly seemed more than happy to take an age to restart the game from one throw-in and then a free-kick as they struggled to keep their lead intact until the break.
In many ways, Chelsea’s display was in keeping with much of their early season form, namely somehow winning a game without looking entirely convincing. The home side continued to show promise having bounced back from the psychological blow of conceding their first goal in the competition, but were still handicapped by the absence of main striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar due to a knee injury.
Boateng was leading the line instead and Torres certainly compared favourably to the former Tottenham and Portsmouth midfielder. Indeed, the 29-year-old was unfortunate not to double Chelsea’s lead six minutes after the restart when a fine header from Lampard’s free-kick rebounded off the crossbar. Chelsea certainly needed a second goal to kill the game off, yet they remained sloppy in possession and ensured Schalke remained firmly in the contest.
But Chelsea always had the resources to capitalise on the counter-attack and they finally secured the three points with a thrilling break 21 minutes from time. Eden Hazard, who outshone Draxler, charged from the edge of his own penalty area and Torres was able to double his tally after Oscar squared the ball to him in the area.
Hazard then got the goal his display deserved just before the end, slotting the ball into the far corner after Torres’s clever run opened up the Schalke defence for him.
“He scores when he wants”, the Chelsea fans chanted to Torres. Perhaps still not enough for the club’s liking but they will be happy enough if he keeps making the difference in Europe.

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Guardian:

Chelsea's Fernando Torres scores two to sink Schalke in Champions League
Dominic Fifield at Veltins Arena

The last time Chelsea ventured on to German soil they had clinched their first European Cup. If they had been waiting since then to re-establish credentials at this elite level, last season's toils in the group section having damaged their reputation, then this resounding victory in the Ruhr valley will serve as a statement of renewed intent.
Schalke were well beaten here, wounded by neatly taken goals from Fernando Torres, a striker revived as he revels under new management, and denied the last vestiges of hope by a late third from Eden Hazard. Chelsea cut the locals to pieces every time they sprang at them at pace and José Mourinho took as much satisfaction in keeping the first clean sheet by a visiting side here in this competition in 11 matches.
There was strength as well as bite to a display that has thrust the Londoners to the top of the group.
The manager has been scarred by each of his previous matches away to German opposition, six trips to the country with three different clubs having ended in defeat. This was an emphatic way to break that duck. "I know about that [record] but I also knew that, if anyone asked me, they'd only talk about half the story," said the Portuguese. "That record is just about defeats in Germany but I've never lost at home against a German team either. But this game was good for us. We controlled the match and were dangerous. We deserved the points."
It was the revival of Torres that truly caught the eye. This was the Spaniard's 100th start for this club and his tireless industry was rewarded with a double to take his Chelsea tally to 38. He might have celebrated a hat-trick had a thumped header early in the second half not cannoned down from the angle of the post and bar with Timo Hildebrand helpless, although that mattered little.
A player who has managed only a solitary Premier League goal this calendar year still finds Europe to his liking, his improvement under Mourinho clearly not overly affected by the untimely knee injury suffered at Steaua Bucharest three weeks ago.
His goals here were pilfered cannily. The visitors had already threatened twice in the opening five minutes when charging from deep – Oscar, Hazard and André Schürrle gliding at pace against back-tracking opponents – when Schalke ignored Torres's presence at the far post from Frank Lampard's corner. The delivery was flicked on by Branislav Ivanovic to confound the German back line and the striker duly nodded into the unguarded net from close range.
There was a vulnerability to the home side throughout, a reflection of the 19 goals shipped in nine Bundesliga matches this term and recent injuries that have disrupted them.
Chelsea might have added a second long before their rivals surrendered possession sloppily, not for the first time, in central midfield, allowing the visitors to break at pace. Oscar held off Jermaine Jones, who eventually pulled up in the duel, and slid the ball inside for Torres to collect. The 29-year-old took his time to wrong-foot the goalkeeper before guiding in his second and, even with 21 minutes remaining, the contest seemed settled. Hazard's third, the Belgian having waltzed with Torres into the German half with only a panicked Joël Matip to thwart them, was his first for the club in this competition and fine reward for his own excellence. Chelsea have registered 14 times in four matches, their form having clicked since half-time at White Hart Lane late last month. That seems an age ago.
"We can still improve, though," said Torres. "The first half was tight but in the second the individual quality made the difference. As a team we are feeling much better. Individually, too. I've felt sharp and well in the last few games but we have three very good strikers and we all need to be ready, every one of us. The competition is healthy." Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba have also impressed on occasion in recent weeks. There are suddenly options for Mourinho in a position that, not long ago, looked to be this team's achilles heel.
Yet just as satisfying for the management was the ability to blunt Schalke, even with the Germans weakened by injury. They had recovered their poise from the early concession to threaten in the period up to the interval, only for Petr Cech to save well from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Roman Neustädter and his back line to suffocate almost everything flung at them.
César Azpilicueta, employed at left-back in preference to Ryan Bertrand and in the absence of Ashley Cole, blocked smartly from Max Meyer and Julian Draxler. John Terry and Gary Cahill were committed and imposing, Ramires and Lampard busy as a further shield. This was a collective show of strength. Life looks rosier from the top of Group E.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2013/oct/22/champions-league-schalke-chelsea-pictures

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Telegraph:

Schalke 0 Chelsea 3
Double trouble: Fernando Torres had his scoring boots on as he grabbed two goals
By Jason Burt, at the Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen

Jose Mourinho laid a ghost to rest. And Fernando Torres no longer looked a shadow of his former self.
Torres scored twice — on his 100th start for Chelsea — and this was the man for whom Roman Abramovich paid £50 million, the man Sir Alex Ferguson said had “borderline Machiavellian” cunning, rather than the pale version of one of Europe’s most lethal strikers.
The Chelsea manager was so content that he announced he would not be fighting the Football Association charge levelled at him for being sent to the stands during last Saturday’s match against Cardiff City. Pre-match and Mourinho had railed against what had happened but said afterwards that he would simply cough up the £8,000 fine.
“There are two important things,” he explained. “One thing is what the referee [Anthony Taylor] wrote in his report, which I read. And he is honest and fair. What he wrote is exactly what happened and is exactly why I didn’t understand why I went to the stands, and exactly why the punishment is justified and not to be suspended from the next match.
"I was not offensive or aggressive; I didn’t use offensive words. I just had a bit of a disagreement so I accept the fine and, against Manchester City, I can work.”
City at home is next up for Chelsea and it will be interesting to see if Torres retains his place.
Records and achievement have tumbled before Mourinho throughout his career but there is one strange anomaly: he has never before won in theChampions League on German soil. In six previous visits, he had six defeats with Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
Unsurprisingly Mourinho saw it differently. When reminded of his record, he said: “I knew if someone asked me, it’s only about half the record. The record is only about defeats in Germany, but I’ve never lost at home against a German team. So if anyone asked me it would only be half the story.”
This victory, with a home game against Schalke to come next, meant that Chelsea are now halfway through the group campaign, having turned around their opening round home defeat with two away wins.
“Because of my experience I was not in hell after the first game and I’m not in heaven today,” Mourinho said. “We have two matches at home, and normally we are going to get enough points to qualify.”
There was a debt, as so often, to Petr Cech who was at his formidable best in the Chelsea goal repelling Schalke, for whom the highly-rated and coveted Julian Draxler was a constant threat in possession, and who have scored in their last 11 Champions League ties.
But this Chelsea side is coming together with a burnishing resilience. It may not have been a squad that Mourinho would have selected, rather one he largely inherited, but it is beginning to appear in his image with Ramires a powerful midfield runner and Oscar the quicksilver playmaker aided by Eden Hazard’s trickery and André Schürrle’s directness.
For Juan Mata, again, it was the bench but there can be few complaints when the return is so resounding and the machine is starting to purr quite so efficiently although it helped that Schalke — hit by injury — spluttered and stuttered and, at the start, stalled.
From the first five minutes, to be precise. By the time the clock ticked round they were behind with Torres stooping to head home at the far post after Branislav Ivanovic had flicked on a Frank Lampard corner. It was not just the goal but the ease of scoring that shocked Schalke who had to work hard to manage their way back into the contest.
Draxler pulled the strings and opportunities came with Cech denying Dennis Aogo, clear on goal and turning away his shot, before turning over Kevin-Prince Boateng’s fierce shot and tipping away Benedikt Höwedes’ header and an effort from Roman Neustädter while goal-bound shots by Draxler and Max Meyer were blocked.
After Torres hit the crossbar with a fine header from Lampard’s free-kick, the Spaniard struck again. Schalke pushed and Chelsea broke with Hazard finding Oscar who showed pace and strength to hold off Jermaine Jones and roll the ball to Torres.
Calmly he rounded goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand and scored. It was a dazzling counter and then there was another. This time, Ramires found Hazard inside his own half but he ran unopposed. Torres made the decoy run and Hazard easily beat Hildebrand with a low shot.

Schalke (4-2-3-1) Hildebrand; Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Aogo; Jones (Kolasinac 70), Neustadter; Clemens, Meyer (Goretzka 78), Draxler; Boateng (Szalai 70). Subs Fahrmann (g), Hoogland, Santana, Fuchs. Booked Neustadter, Jones.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Lampard, Ramires; Schurrle (Mikel 72), Oscar (Luiz 83), Hazard (Eto’o 88); Torres.Subs Schwarzer (g), Bertrand, Willian, Mata.Booked Cahill.
Referee V Kassai (Hungary).

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Mail:
Schalke 0 Chelsea 3: Torres brilliance sends Mourinho's men to top of the group

By MATT BARLOW

For a manager with a lust for victory, it will not have amused Jose Mourinho to lose his first six Champions League games against German teams on their own turf, but on Tuesday night there was so much to enjoy.
Top of the list was the form of Fernando Torres, back from injury in irresistible style to score twice and come within inches of a hat-trick when he hit the woodwork.
It was not, however, simply his finishing. Torres put in a brilliant shift up front,  leading the line. His touch was good, his movement sharp and he combined smoothly with those around him.Since half-time at Tottenham at the end of September, his team have been mightily impressive, fighting back to salvage a point at White Hart Lane before plundering 14 goals in four games, split either side of the international break.
Goals against Norwich, Cardiff and Steaua are one thing but becoming the first team in 11 Champions League games to stop Schalke scoring at home and winning in Gelsenkirchen is all together more eye-catching.
In the city of a thousand fires, Torres had one burning in his belly. ‘In the last few games I feel very sharp and well,’ said Torres, starting for the first time since  damaging knee ligaments in Bucharest three weeks ago.
When the injury struck, he was in a groove of fine form and it was as if he had never stepped away when he appeared unmarked at the back post to head in a simple chance in the fifth minute.
It came from a corner swung in by Frank Lampard and touched on at the near post by Branislav Ivanovic with the Schalke defenders nowhere to be seen.
Torres did not complain, stopping to head in his 37th goal on what was his 100th start for the club. However, the much-maligned £50million man has made 40 appearances as a substitute, which makes the figures rather less striking.
No 38 was converted 21 minutes from time as Schalke were sliced open on the break. Oscar provided the final pass and Torres skipped around keeper Timo Hildebrand before scoring.
The travelling fans sang: ‘He scores when he wants.’ In between those two goals, Chelsea fought and scrapped to protect their lead.
Cesar Azpilicueta, possibly chosen at left back ahead of Ryan Bertrand for his pace, has hardly forged a reputation for heroic defending since arriving from Marseille, yet he made two vital blocks in his goalmouth inside a few minutes before the interval.
First he denied Max Meyer then hurled himself in front of a sweet drive by Julian Draxler. When the back four were beaten, the goalkeeper stood firm.
Petr Cech, making his 96th appearance in the Champions League, turned over a  well-struck effort from the edge of the box by Kevin Prince Boateng then thwarted Roman Neustadter from the resulting corner.
Another untidy scramble ensued from the next corner, ending with centre half Benedikt Howedes attempting a backheel, which he caught well but the ball finished a yard wide of the target.
The second half unfolded very much as the first had ended. Schalke dominated possession but Torres escaped his marker to head a Lampard free-kick against the frame of post and bar.
Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai rejected two noisy appeals for penalties, both for handball against Gary Cahill, the first far more convincing than the second, and Cech saved from Christian Clemens.
Perhaps the best chance dropped to Howedes, who planted his header wide, and once Torres made it 2-0, the win was never in doubt.
Hazard capped another direct counter-attack with his first Champions League goal for Chelsea to add a little gloss.
Mourinho didn't mention winning the 2004 Champions League with Porto in Gelsenkirchen but said with a smile: ‘The record was only defeats in Germany. I’ve never lost at home against a German team.’

Schalke: Hildebrand 6, Uchida 6, Höwedes 6, Matip 6, Aogo 6, Neustadter 7, Jones 6 (Kolasinac 70, 5), Clemens 7, Meyer 6 (Goretzka 79), Draxler 6, Boateng 5 (Szalai 70, 6).

Subs not used: Fährmann, Hoogland, Felipe Santana, Fuchs.
Booked: Jones, Neustadter.
Manager: Jens Keller 6

Chelsea: Cech 7, Ivanovic 7, Cahill 6, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 7, Ramires 7, Lampard 7, Schurrle 6 (Mikel 72, 6), Oscar 7 (David Luiz 84), Hazard 6 (Eto'o 88), Torres 8.

Subs not used: Schwarzer, Bertrand, Willian, Mata.
Goals: Torres 5, 69, Hazard 87.

Booked: Cahill.
Manager: Jose Mourinho 7

Ref: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).
Att: 54,442
Man of the Match: Fernando Torres


=================================

Mirror:

Schalke 0-3 Chelsea
Fernando Torres scores twice as Blues cruise to win in Gelsenkirchen
By Neil McLeman

The Spaniard was in fine form in Germany, notching twice and playing a part in Eden Hazard's third
Jose Mourinho won his first Champions League match in Germany on Tuesday night with an efficiency of which his hosts would have been proud.
While Fernando Torres scored in each half, Petr Cech and the gritty Chelsea back four successfully defended the lead amid the intimidating noise in the Veltins Arena.
The decisive second goal came on a deadly counter-attack led by Oscar after another period of German pressure was withstood. And Eden Hazard’s late goal capped a classic away performance to suggest this Premier League club will fight the Bundesliga's best for the Champions League this season.
Chelsea’s second away win in Europe this season puts them top of Group E and continues their good form ahead of clashes with Manchester City and Arsenal.
Since losing at home to Basel on September 18, Chelsea are now unbeaten in seven matches, wining six.
Mourinho also won his seventh match on German soil last night after losing his previous six with Real Madrid - including the last two Champions League semi-finals - Inter Milan and Chelsea.
“I knew if someone asked me, it’s only about half the record,” smiled the delighted Mourinho. “The record is only about defeats in Germany, but I’ve never lost at home against a German team. So if anyone asked me it would only be half the story.”
Last night was also a better result in Gelsenkirchen for John Terry and Frank Lampard, two England players who suffered World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal on penalties here in 2006 after Wayne Rooney was sent off.
And Mourinho picked out both of their performances in a fine team effort.
“I think normally you go to the goalscorers as the star performers, and Fernando and Eden played a very good game,” he said. “But I think everything started with the way we defended and I think my goalkeeper, my four defenders and Ramires and Lampard gave us fantastic stability.”
Going into the third round of Champions League matches, Group E leaders Schalke and Barcelona were the only teams not to have conceded a goal. Both teams lost that record last night with the German defence breeched after only five minutes.
Lampard’s cross was flicked on by Branislav Ivanovic and Torres headed home at the back post.
But the fifth-placed team in the Bundesliga dominated the rest of the half with former Arsenal target Julian Draxler in impressive form. Cech made saves from Dennis Aogo, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Roman Neustadter while Cesar Azpilicueta made a brave block on a Max Meyer shot.
After the break, Torres hit the bar with a header from a Lampard free kick. Butthe Spaniard sealed the three points after 69 minutes when Oscar surged down the inside-right channel to Torres to round keeper Timo Hildebrand and tap home.
Torres also had a hand in the third goal as his decoy run allowed Hazard to run free and score after 87 minutes.
Chelsea, who failed to get out of the group stages last season, will now progress by winning their two remaining home matches.
“After the first game we were last because we lost at home,” Mourinho said. “Now we are top of the group. Because of my experience, I was not in hell after the first game, and I’m not in heaven today. I’m calm.
"We were under pressure after the first game. We found a balance after the second game. After this victory, we are in a good situation.”
Mourinho has accepted the FA charge of improper conduct following Saturday’s victory over Cardiff and will pay an £8,000 fine.
“The referee (Anthony Taylor) was honest with what he wrote, so I accept the fine and, against Manchester City, I can work.”

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Express:

Schalke 0 Chelsea 3: Deadly Fernando Torres strikes twice for Blues

FERNANDO TORRES put Chelsea’s Champions League campaign firmly back on track with a superb double strike.
By: Tony Banks

The much-criticised Spaniard celebrated his 100th start for the club by netting a goal in each half to give Jose Mourinho’s side their second successive victory in the competition and took them to the top of the Group E on goal difference, after the upset of their opening game defeat by Basle.
Torres was simply unstoppable on the night, nodding home after five minutes and then striking again as Mourinho’s team withstood large periods of Schalke pressure, but pounced with deadly intent on the break.
Eden Hazard put the icing on the cake with a third goal three minutes from time. It wasChelsea’s fourth win in a row, and it came as a result of a masterfully disciplined display in northern Germany.
Mourinho sprang a surprise before kick off as he named Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back instead of the injured Ashley Cole. The Spaniard, normally a right-back, was one of five changes from the side that beat Cardiff on Saturday.
The Chelsea manager stemmed a wretched record in Germany. In six previous Champions League games, with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, he had lost every one – including two semi-finals.
Against a Schalke side hit by injuries but still with wins in their opening two group games and 14 goals in their last five matches, the Special One knew a second defeat would be a massive setback.
Instead, Chelsea got off to a perfect start. Frank Lampard’s near-post corner in the fifth minute saw Branislav Ivanovic outfox the Schalke defence with a flick-on and there was Torres, unmarked at the far post, to nod in to the roof of the net.
Fernando Torres, Chelsea, Schalke, Champions LeagueFernando Torres's teammates were delighted with the Spaniard's efforts [LARS BARON/GETTY IMAGES]
It was the first time the £50 million man had netted twice in a game since April
It was the Spaniard’s third goal of the season, all in cup games, but it was exactly what Chelsea needed in a tricky game.
After that, Chelsea sat deep, with Oscar playing off Torres as their most attacking players.
It was Blues skipper John Terry’s first game back in Gelsenkirchen since he was a member of the England team that crashed out of the World Cup against Portugal on penalties in 2006.
Atsuto Uchida finally broke through down the left for the Germans, but then shot over from an angle.
It was mostly though disciplined stuff from Chelsea, but they were coming under increasing pressure. With key striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar injured, Schalke had ex-Tottenham man Kevin-Prince Boateng up front, but he made little early impression.
From longer range though, Boateng forced keeper Petr Cech to tip his 25-yard shot over the bar. The resulting corner led to Cech coming to Chelsea’s rescue again, as he palmed Benedikt Howedes’ header over.
Azpilicueta then blocked Julian Draxler’s shot as Schalke began to build up a head of steam. Chelsea almost added to their lead five minutes into the second half, and it was Torres again, causing Schalke problems.
Fernando Torres, Chelsea, Schalke, Champions LeagueSchalke's defence could only watch as Fernando Torres cooly finishes for his second goal [LARS BARON/GETTY IMAGES]
Lampard’s chipped free-kick saw the Spaniard glance in a brilliant header that left keeper Timo Hildebrand utterly stranded – but the ball thudded against the angle of post and bar and came out.
Torres headed another Lampard corner just wide at the far post as Chelsea broke quickly again. At the other end Howedes nodded just wide from close in – but then Chelsea struck on the break again.
This time Hazard won the ball and beat his man before sending Oscar racing away.
The Brazilian held off a challenge and squared the ball for Torres to coolly round Hildebrand and slide the ball home for an excellent goal.
It was the first time the £50 million man had netted twice in a game since April.

Schalke (4-2-3-1): Hildebrand; Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Aogo; Jones (Kolasinac 70), Neustadter; Clemens, Meyer (Goretzka 78), Draxler; Boateng (Szalai 70). Booked: Jones, Neustadter.
Chelsea (4-4-1-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Hazard (Eto’o 88), Ramires, Lampard, Schurrle (Mikel 72); Oscar (Luiz 83); Torres. Booked: Cahill. Goals: Torres 5, 69, Hazard 87.
Referee: V Kassai (Hun).
NEXT UP: Chelsea – Sun: Man City (h) league.

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Star:

Schalke 0 - Chelsea 3: Fernando Torres strikes twice to sink Germans

FERNANDO TORRES finally gave Jose Mourinho a decent night out in Germany.
By James Dobson
The rejuvenated Spanish striker bagged a goal in each half in an awesome display by the Blues.
Torres was simply unstoppable on the night, as he ­nodded home after five minutes and then struck again as Mourinho’s team withstood any Schalke pressure.
He also had a hand in the third, his dummy run giving Eden Hazard the space to fire low into the corner in the 87th minute.
And the Torres super show, on his 100th Chelsea start, allowed his manager to improve his wretched record in Germany.
In six previous Champions League games, in charge of Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real ­Madrid, Mourinho had lost the lot – including two semi-finals.
Mourinho sprang a ­surprise before kick-off as he named Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back instead of the injured ­Ashley Cole
The Spaniard, normally a right-back, was one of five changes from the side that beat Cardiff on Saturday.
Chelsea were facing a Schalke side hit by injuries but still with wins in their opening two Group E games and 14 goals in their last five matches.
And The Special One knew that a second defeat would be a massive setback.
Instead, Chelsea got off to a dream start.
Frank Lampard’s near-post corner in the fifth minute saw Branislav Ivanovic outfox the defence with a flick-on and there was Torres, unmarked at the far post, to nod into the roof of the net. All three of the Spaniard’s goals this season have come in cup games, but it was ­exactly what Chelsea needed in a tricky tie.
After that the Blues sat deep, with Oscar playing off Torres as their most ­attacking players.
And it was Blues skipper John Terry’s first game back in Gelsenkirchen since he was a member of the England team that crashed out of the World Cup against ­Portugal on penalties in 2006.
Atsuto Uchida finally broke through down the left for the Germans, but then fired an angled shot over.
It was mostly disciplined stuff from Chelsea, but they were coming under increasing pressure.
With key striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar injured, Schalke had ex-Tottenham man Kevin-Prince Boateng up front, but he made little early impression.
From longer range though, Boateng then forced Petr Cech to tip his 25-yard shot over the bar.
From the corner Cech had to come to Chelsea’s rescue again, as he palmed over a header from Benedikt Howedes.
Azpilicueta then blocked Julian Draxler’s shot as Schalke began to build up a head of steam.
Chelsea almost added to their lead five minutes into the second half and it was Torres again causing Schalke problems.
Lampard’s chipped free-kick saw the Spaniard glance in a brilliant header that left goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand stranded – but the ball thudded against the angle of post and bar and came out.
Torres then nodded ­another Lampard corner just wide at the far post as Chelsea broke quickly. Schalke had lots of possession in and around the penalty area, but Cech was not being forced to make any real saves as Terry and Co stood strong in front of him.
Howedes nodded just wide from close in as Schalke kept probing – but then Chelsea struck on the break again.
This time Hazard, who had had a quiet game until then, won the ball and beat his man before sending ­Oscar racing away.
The Brazilian held off a challenge and squared the ball for Torres to coolly round Hildebrand and slide the ball home for an excellent goal.
It was the first time the £50m man had netted twice in a game since April.
The third came three minutes from time.
Ramires cleared upfield and the ball was collected by Hazard. Torres’ run took the defender away and the Belgian raced on to fire home a low shot.