Blues cruise into quarters

Chelsea cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Olympiacos at Stamford Bridge.

Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard grabbed goals in the first half, before Salomon Kalou weighed in with another just after the interval.

The only negative aspect of the evening was the news of goalkeeper Petr Cech picking up an injury and missing the game.

The hosts had already offered an early warning when Kalou slipped Ashley Cole through and the full-back drove in the a low cross that had to be cleared by Julio Cesar.

It mattered little, though, as Ballack grabbed the fifth-minute opener from the throw. Lampard took a touch on the flank to steady himself for a cross then found Ballack at the near post, who planted his header beyond Antonios Nikopolidis.

Didier Drogba could have doubled the lead after midfielder Cole skipped down the left and found the Ivory Coast striker, but the finish was too high.

Chelsea's second came in the 25th minute, with the role of provider and goalscorer reversed from the opener.

Makelele won a header on the edge of the area after a corner was not cleared, Terry then nodded towards Ballack beyond the Olympiacos defence. Ballack's finish was parried by Nikopolidis and Lampard tapped in the rebound.

The hosts started the second half as they had the first, with Lampard getting a shot blocked two minutes after the restart.

From the corner, taken by Lampard, Kalou stabbed in from close range after Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho failed to get contact on their efforts.