Football news - Ruben Loftus-Cheek lights up the Bridge with stunning hat-trick

Ruben Loftus-Cheek made the most of a rare opportunity with a superb hat-trick as Chelsea defeated BATE Borisov 3-1 to bolster their position at the summit of Europa League Group L.

The England international, making only his second start for the Blues this season, took just two minutes to have an impact as he swept home Davide Zappacosta's cross.

Loftus-Cheek then doubled his tally six minutes later when he guided a smart finish into the net from Willian's right-wing corner.

Chelsea continued to carve the Belarusian side open and it was no surprise when Loftus-Cheek grabbed his hat-trick just after the interval with a well-placed shot into the far corner.

It capped a superb showing from the 22-year-old midfielder as he was the stand-out performer amongst the eight changes from Saturday's Premier League draw with Manchester United.

Aleksey Rios snatched one back for the away side 11 minutes from time, but it was merely a consolation as Chelsea easily strengthened their grip on top spot in the pool. A third straight victory in the competition sees them on nine points at the halfway mark with BATE, Vidi and PAOK all six points behind on three each.

Chelsea will now turn their attention to Sunday's Premier League clash at Burnley.

Loftus-Cheek stakes his claim - but is it the watershed moment he craves? It's not really a new discussion as many Chelsea fans - and England ones - have been calling for the home-grown youngster to be given more chances in the club's starting XI. The Blues have a wealth of talent in the midfield department, but on this evidence Loftus-Cheek deserves to be rewarded for his patience. He has acquitted himself well on loan at Crystal Palace and when he's had run outs with the national side, he has not looked out of place. BATE may not be seen as a true test of his credentials on the highest stage, but it wasn't just notching a first professional treble that was so impressive. His awareness on the ball, his range of passing and his menacing running from deep stood him out as a young player who has raised his level. He will feel he should now start at Burnley and if he does he needs another strong performance. One thing's for sure, if Chelsea don't give him more chances there will be no shortage of takers for his talent in the future.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea). Seized his opportunity with both hands, notching three well-taken goals as BATE struggled to live with him all night.

CHELSEA: Kepa 6, Zappacosta 8, Cahill 7, Christensen 7, Emerson 7, Fabregas 7, Kovacic 8, Loftus-Cheek 9, Willian 8, Pedro 7, Giroud 6. Subs: Moses 6, Hudson-Odoi 6, Kante 6.

BATE: Scherbitski 7, Rios 6, Filipovic 6, Filipenko 6, Volodko 6, Baga 6, Dragun 6, Hleb 6, Skavysh 6, Signevich 6, Stasevich 6. Subs: Ivanic 7, Yablonski 5, Tuominen 6.

2' - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 BATE. Ruben Loftus-Cheek makes an instant impact with a thumping first-time strike from 12 yards out after superb play by Davide Zappacosta down the right.

8' - GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 BATE. Loftus-Cheek grabs his second! The midfielder coolly volleys into the far corner from a right-wing corner. What a start from Chelsea!

39' - CHELSEA CHANCE. Zappacosta steers a deep cross back into the middle for Loftus-Cheek, who can't nod his improvised header on target.

53' - GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 BATE. Loftus-Cheek has a hat-trick! The midfielder guides a side-footed effort from 20-yards into the far corner to finish off a move he started.

73' - CHELSEA CHANCE. Moses charges through a challenge in the box. Giroud spins on it and rolls his man before seeing a driven shot pushed away by Shcherbitski from relatively close range.

79' - GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 BATE. Aleksey Rios arrives late to smash home a left-wing free kick from close range after Chelsea went to sleep at the back.