Chelsea 4 - Betis 0

Betis: Doblas; Melli, Juanito, Rivas (Nano 73'), Oscar López; Miguel Angel, Rivera; Joaquín (Marcos Assunçao 90'), Xisco (Fernando 76'), Varela; Oliveira. 4-2-3-1.
Chelsea: Cech; Gallas, Terry, Carvalho, Del Horno; Makelele, Essien; Wright-Phillips, Lampard, Robben; Drogba. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 24. Drogba. Picked up pass from Essien and hit deflected shot past keeper.
2-0. 44. Carvalho. Tap in on goal line after Doblas dropped Lampard free kick.
3-0. 59. Cole. Collected pass from Ettien and fired low shot wide of Doblas.
4-0. 64. Crespo. Ran on to head Wright-Phillips cross wide of keeper.

Betis have an uphill battle to qualify for the second round after they were hammered 4-0 by Chelsea. The Spaniards put in a good performance early on with Joaquín on excellent form, the local defence having their work cut out to keep out his dangerous crosses. Makelele cleared a Juanito header off the line, and Cech had to make a couple of saves from Oliveira.

Doblas had work to do at the other end though, in particular saving a long shot from Joe Cole, and Drogba fired one effort wide of the target after Wright-Phillips set him up. Edu missed a chance to put Betis ahead, but shortly afterwards the hosts took the lead when Drogba raced on to Essien's through ball and drove in a shot which Rivas could only help in to the net. And just before half time Carvalho made it two after Doblas dropped Lampard's soft free kick at his feet on the goal line.

That was a killer blow, and Serra Ferrer's side gave up the fight in the second half. Essien fired a shot over the top and then sent Joe Cole away for him to score a third, the England midfielder preferring to shoot himself rather than pass to Crespo who was unmarked on the edge of the area. Crespo got his chance five minutes later though when he connected with a Wright-Phillips cross to head home a fourth goal, and it was all over.

Joaquín felt himself unlucky not to be given a penalty when Del Horno tripped him in the area, but it wouldn't have made much difference. Chelsea's win takes them top of the group, and Liverpool's victory at Anderlecht leaves Serra Ferrer's side four points adrift of the two English clubs. There are still three games left, but right now Betis look like they will have to continue their European campaign in the UEFA cup as the third placed side. City rivals Sevilla are waiting for them there.