Story so far: Chelsea FC

Chelsea FC were always favoured to emerge as Group G winners, but even though they finished six points ahead of next best in the section they were not the consistently dominant force in the UEFA Champions League that they proved themselves to be in the English Premier League, where they remained unbeaten until early December.

Story so far
Seeking a route to the knockout rounds for the 11th time in 12 seasons, the London club were handed a confidence-boosting start when Cesc Fàbregas scored after just 11 minutes against FC Schalke 04. That early promise could not be sustained and the German visitors forced an equaliser.

Nemanja Matić's goal away to Sporting Clube de Portugal secured the Blues' first victory and Chelsea's true colours were displayed in the matchday three 6-0 dismantling of NK Maribor. The Blues were held in Slovenia on matchday four, but Schalke were seen off with an impressive 5-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen to seal the Premier League side's qualification and first place in the group, while a 3-1 home win against Sporting neatly rounded off their campaign.

Pivotal moment
Having stuttered on matchday one, Chelsea needed the reassurance of a victory against Sporting to put aside any doubts. With José Mourinho returning to his home country and Matić also back in familiar surroundings, there was a special resolve about the Blues' work. It was the former SL Benfica man who made the difference with a first-half header to take all three points back to London and claim a place on top of the section which they were never to relinquish.

Key player: Nemanja Matić
Eden Hazard has sparkled on the European stage and displayed the full range of his ability in the 6-0 demolition of Maribor. However, Matić has been a constant reassuring presence in front of the back four, minding the shop while Fàbregas has foraged closer to the more creative talents, while also weighing in with crucial goals, earning the win in Lisbon and the draw against Maribor.

Rising star: Dominic Solanke
Kurt Zouma has come into the back four on two occasions and performed competently, but even though their appearances were of a brief nature, both Nathan Aké and Solanke are definitely names to watch out for. Especially the latter – who only turned 17 in September – with Mourinho commenting after the striker's debut against Maribor: "He is going to play many, many Champions League matches."

Number: 885
The number of days between Didier Drogba's last goal for Chelsea and the first of his second spell. Before rejoining Chelsea at the start of the season, his last act in a blue shirt had been to put away the penalty to decide the shoot-out in the 2012 final at FC Bayern München's expense. On 21 October 2014, it was another Drogba penalty – against Maribor – that helped rekindle so many happy memories for his adoring fans.

Quote
"I don't remember Chelsea playing like this away from home. There were great victories for me, for Roberto [Di Matteo], with other managers, but not like this away from home. Very impressive."
Mourinho applauds the quality of Chelsea's 5-0 win away to Schalke.

Next challenge: Paris Saint-Germain
(Away: 17 February, home: 11 March)
Chelsea knocked Paris out of last season's UEFA Champions League despite a 3-1 loss at the Parc des Princes in the quarter-final first leg. José Mourinho's side won 2-0 in the Stamford Bridge return to progress on away goals.