Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the penultimate round of fixtures in this season's group stages of the Champions League. Maccabi's hopes of reaching the knockout rounds may already be over, but Chelsea's could be fulfilled tonight, so the visitors have plenty to play for here in Tel Aviv. Let's start with a look at the two teams...

MACCABI STARTING XI: Rajković; Dasa, Ben Haim, Carlos García, Ben Harush; Alberman, Zahavi, Rikan, Igiebor; Peretz, Ben Chaim

MACCABI SUBS: Lifshitz, Ben Basat, Itzhaki, Azulay, Tibi, Mitrovic, Vermouth

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Baba Rahman; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa

CHELSEA SUBS: Blackman, Ivanovic, Zouma, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Remy

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, starting with the hosts, Slavisa Jokanovic has made a few changes to the side that was victorious at the weekend, including bringing Tal Ben Haim back in against his former club. The Israeli centre-back made 23 appearances in the 2007-08 season for Chelsea after being signed by Mourinho, although he outlasted the Portuguese manager at Stamford Bridge in the end.

Indeed, there are three changes made to the back four from the hosts as they look to pull off a shock tonight, with Dasa and Ben Harush also joining Ben Haim in returning to the side. Carlos Garcia, the Spanish full-back, is the only one of the back four to retain his place from the weekend, despite Maccabi keeping a clean sheet, although Rajkovic does continue between the sticks.

There are two further changes for Maccabi further forward as Ben Chaim and Peretz come in to replace Asulay and Ben Basat, both of whom drop to the bench. Igiebor keeps his place in the side and is an international teammate of Chelsea's Jon Obi Mikel, while he is once again joined in midfield by Alberman.

The main danger man for Chelsea to watch out for this evening is Zahavi, who notched his 100th league goal at the weekend and is in fine scoring form this season. He has found the back of the net eight times in his last 10 matches for club and country and has eight goals to his name in the Champions League this season too - although seven of those did come in the qualifying rounds. His next goal for Maccabi would be his 100th for the club.

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Looking to prevent Zahavi from reaching that milestone tonight will be a Chelsea defence that shows three changes from the side that beat Norwich at the weekend. Azpilicueta comes back into the side, although he plays on the right tonight as Ivanovic, only recently back from injury, drops to the bench. Zouma also has to make do with a place among the subs as Gary Cahill is drafted back in to partner Terry, while Baba Rahman is given the nod at left-back instead of Kenedy.

That is where the bulk of the changes have come from Mourinho tonight, with Fabregas and Matic once again chosen as the two deeper-lying midfielders. Both have struggled for form this season, and while they are by no means the only guilty parties in the Chelsea camp in that respect, they will certainly be keen to get back to their best sooner rather than later considering what a big impact they made last season.

Hazard is another one to have struggled this season, but he has slowly but surely shown signs of getting back to something close to his best. He performed better in a number 10 role against Norwich, but is expected to be shifted back out to the left tonight to accommodate Oscar's return to the starting XI. He replaces Pedro in the side, while compatriot Willian is handed another start having scored with three of his four direct free kicks in the competition this season.

Spearheading the attack once again is Diego Costa, who finally ended his mini goal drought with what proved to be the winner against Norwich at the weekend. It was his first goal in eight games for club and country and, while he has also been below-par this season, he is getting into the right position increasingly often and that goal against the Canaries could be exactly what he needs to get firing again. His volley in the reverse fixture against Maccabi was a special goal, and he will fancy his chances of scoring again tonight.

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Domestically, these two sides have suffered contrasting fortunes this season but, despite the hosts sitting top of their league and Chelsea down in 15th, there is no doubt that the visitors come into this match as heavy favourites to come away with the victory. Maccabi have looked pretty poor so far, and while it was always going to be very tough to challenge for a place in the last 16, Slavisa Jokanovic will be slightly upset that his side have been so comfortably beaten in their four group outings so far.

Maccabi have the unfortunate honour of being the worst team in this season's Champions League group stages so far. They are the only side yet to pick up a point in all of the groups, while they also have the joint-worst attack with only one goal scored and the joint-worst defence with 13 conceded. It is no surprise, then, that they have already been mathematically ruled out of reaching the knockout stages with two games to spare.

The Europa League is still a mathematical possibility, but it looks highly unlikely. Maccabi currently trail third-place Dynamo Kiev by five points in Group G, which means that they would need to win their final two games and hope that Kiev lose both of theirs to reach the Europa League. Maccabi and Kiev do face each other in their final group game, but the Israeli outfit would need to beat Chelsea tonight to stand any chance of having something to play for in that last game.

As mentioned, though, things are better domestically for Slavisa Jokanovic's side. They returned to the top of the table with a 3-0 victory over Hapoel Haifa at the weekend, now sitting two points clear having won eight of their opening 11 games - including six of their last seven. They also boast the best attack in the league with 23, although three teams have conceded fewer than Maccabi's 11 from as many outings.

Despite that good league form, Maccabi's overall form this season has been distinctly average. They have lost as many games as they have won (11), with seven of those defeats coming in their last 13 outings. They have, however, won three of their last four games in all competitions and tonight are bidding to make it three wins on the bounce for the first time since March-April of this year.

Their home form will not exactly be having Chelsea quaking in their boots either. Maccabi have won just four of their 12 games in front of their own fans all season, losing seven and drawing one in that time. They have lost four of their last six here, and are yet to string together back-to-back home wins - although they could achieve that for the first time this season tonight. In this competition they have lost three and won none of their last four home games, although that does come off the back of just one defeat in 11, with that loss coming at the hands of Bayern Munich in 2004.

This is Maccabi's first appearance in the group stages of the Champions League for 11 years, but they had to work to get here. They began in the second qualifying round, beating Hibernians, Plzen and Basel to reach the tournament proper, despite winning just two of those six qualifying games. They have already lost to Chelsea, Kiev and Porto (twice) in the groups, and have only ever won one of their 10 outings in the Champions League proper before, failing to even score in six of those. That solitary victory came against Ajax 11 years ago.

It isn't exactly formidable opposition for Chelsea tonight, then, but they will know that they are far from their best themselves right now so will be taking nothing for granted. It has been a torrid season so far for the Blues, with troubles off the field and on it. However, the signs are beginning to point towards a revival and, while they might have left it too late in their search of silverware, the top four in the Premier League remains just about in reach.

Chelsea have been fairly fortunate that no side has really taken the title race by the scruff of its neck just yet. Manchester City and Arsenal have had their inconsistencies, while United are looking relatively uninspiring themselves. Indeed, it is surprise package Leicester who lead the way right now, with Chelsea 14 points further back in 15th. The top four is 12 points away and, while that is still a tough ask in such a competitive league, Mourinho will believe that it is achievable should his side hit top form.

They can ill afford any further slip-ups having already lost seven times in the league this season - more than Mourinho had ever lost in a single season before. They also have the worst defence outside the bottom five of the table having conceded 23 goals in their 13 games - a tally it took them 29 matches to reach last season. Indeed, Chelsea have conceded two or more goals in nine of their 13 Premier League matches this season.

Tonight should give them a chance to distract themselves from their domestic woes, though, and it could well end in qualification for the last 16 with a game to spare. Indeed, that is the most likely scenario, with Chelsea needing to win this match and hope that Kiev fail to beat Porto at their fortress of a stadium. Even if Kiev do take points off Porto then it could be a good thing for Chelsea in terms of top spot in the group, with Mourinho trailing his former side by three points as things stand and welcoming them to Stamford Bridge in their final group game.

A 1-0 win over Norwich at the weekend ended a run of three consecutive Premier League defeats for Chelsea - the first time that had happened since 1999 - but they have still lost four of their last six games including penalties. All season they have lost half of their 20 outings, winning just seven - only three of which have come in their last 11 games. Their record in this competition is better - just one defeat in 12 - but they have also only won two of their last six.

Perhaps the biggest concern for Chelsea right now will be their away form. They have not won any of their last six outings on the road, while Walsall and West Bromwich Albion are the only two teams they have beaten in 11 away games all season, losing seven of those. Their record isn't much better in the Champions League, with only two wins from their last 10 and one point from a possible six this season. Their last away victory in this competition came almost exactly a year ago to the day, when an almost unrecognisable Chelsea were imperious in a 5-0 victory over Schalke.

Creativity has been something of an issue for Chelsea in the Champions League in recent times, though, with just four of their last 13 goals in this competition coming from open play. On top of that, they have only scored more than once on one occasion from their last 10 away games in Europe.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff here, which means that it is time for a prediction! Chelsea really should have enough about them to come away with the victory tonight. Much has been made of their poor form all season, but their last two games have shown a significant improvement and Maccabi are not a good side at all. I don't see it being quite as comfortable as the Stamford Bridge meeting, but Chelsea should still cruise home. I'll go for a 2-0 away triumph.

Chelsea have only ever visited Israel once previously, and it was a trip to forget as Hapoel Tel Aviv ran out 2-0 winners in their UEFA Cup second round match, before going on to complete an aggregate victory with a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. That match was particularly controversial for the fact that six Chelsea players refused to travel to Tel Aviv due to safety concerns, with the match coming just a month after the September 11 attacks. Mourinho, however, insists that he has had no such problems this time around despite the attacks in Paris earlier this month.

Jokanovic actually played for Chelsea in that first leg here in Tel Aviv, making one of his 53 appearances during a two-year stay at the club. John Terry is the only playing survivor from that match as he featured in both legs. Maccabi had also only faced English opposition on one occasion before this season, and theirs is also a losing record having been beaten home and away by Stoke in the 2011-12 Europa League group stages.

The reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in September ended in a comprehensive 4-0 victory for Chelsea, although they might have been fearing the worst early on when Eden Hazard blazed a penalty over the crossbar. Willian opened the scoring as his free kick went all the way in, however, and from then on there was little doubt as to who would come out on top. Oscar doubled the advantage with a penalty as Hazard this time stepped aside, while Costa and Fabregas added further goals to complete the emphatic win.

Right, the anthem has been played, the handshakes have been exchanged and we're just about ready to go here in Tel Aviv. Spanish referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco is the man in the middle for tonight's match.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Chelsea get us underway as they look to seal their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a game to spare.

CHANCE! Bright start to the match from the hosts and they have an early chance to take a surprise lead. Ben Chaim lofts a cross into the box from the right that Peretz meets following some good movement in the box. It is a relatively free header, but he can't keep it down and a very presentable chance goes begging.

Maccabi have certainly started this match as if they want to prove that they aren't the worst team of the 32 in the Champions League. They are looking to put pressure on Chelsea when the visitors have the ball and do look fairly dangerous when coming forward.

CHANCE! Another decent opening for the home side as they break forward on the counter. Ben Chaim leads the charge up the middle before slipping it to Zahavi, who manages to jink his way past one in the box before being crowded out. The ball eventually falls out to Dasa on the right, but he slices his shot well wide of the near post.

CHANCE! Chelsea create their first chance of the match, and it is some lovely football that creates it. First Oscar and Hazard look to link up, only for that attack to break down, but Matic quickly builds another one. This time Azpilicueta plays it in to Oscar, who flicks it back to the Spaniard, but his curling effort ends up a yard or so past the far post.

Chelsea have just started to settle into the game a bit in the last couple of minutes. Maccabi did make a quick start to the game, but Chelsea will know that if they weather an early storm then they should have the quality to take control of the match.

More good football from Chelsea in and around the box, with plenty of players involved. Costa eventually slips it out to Baba Rahman on the left, but his cross goes all the way through to Hazard, who flicks it back to Azpilicueta. They lose possession soon after, however, but Maccabi's attempted counter also breaks down.

A slight sight of goal for Chelsea as Azpilicueta finds Fabregas on the byline with a throw, and the Spaniard turns before trying to pick out Costa in the middle. The striker is well marshalled, however, and Maccabi are able to deal with the danger.

Chelsea are enjoying plenty of good possession in the final third without being able to find a way through so far. Their latest batch of possession sees Fabregas thread a ball inside the full-back for Baba Rahman, but his cross is too far behind Costa.

Maccabi just can't get out at the moment. They have a couple of chances to clear their lines following some sustained Chelsea pressure, but give it straight back to Chelsea in a dangerous position. They survive on both occasions, but they can't afford to invite pressure like that.

SHOT! It may take a slice of magic to break through a stubborn Maccabi defence, and Fabregas tries to provide that here. He picks the ball up just outside the area and disguises a chip towards the far corner. The keeper is left stranded, despite only being a couple of yards off his line, but the ball drifts a yard or so over the top.

A moment of magic, or a slice of luck. Chelsea take the lead after 20 minutes, but it is a harsh one on Rajkovic in the Maccabi goal. Cahill rises highest to plant a fine downward header towards goal from a corner, and the Serbian keeper pulls off a magnificent stop to turn it onto the post. However, it bounces right back into the danger area, and Cahill is there to stab it into the empty net.

As things stand, then, Chelsea will qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League tonight. They certainly deserve this lead having dominated since Maccabi's bright start, and the way this match is going I would be very surprised if we have seen the last of the goals.

The pitch is causing one or two problems tonight, with the turf cutting up under the players quite badly. Mourinho has even strayed onto the pitch to try to stamp one of the divots down, but it doesn't seem to be affecting Chelsea too much.

Chelsea have enjoyed 62% possession so far tonight, and that figure is only likely to increase as the game goes on. A familiar pattern is developing here and it may just require a bit of Chelsea patience to see them through this one.

Good chance for Chelsea to break from a rare Maccabi corner as Fabregas spreads a brilliant pass out to Oscar on the left. The Brazilian has plenty of green grass ahead of him to run into, but he doesn't quite have the pace to get away and eventually a promising attacking platform breaks down.

Well, he scored one stunning volley in the reverse fixture, but this one would have topped even that from Costa. Matic feeds a fine pass in to Hazard, who can;t quite bring it under his spell to take him through on goal. He is able to keep possession, though, and the cross eventually arrives from the right. Costa goes all out for the bicycle kick and makes contact with it, but his effort is never really troubling the keeper.

More quick passing from Chelsea in an around the Maccabi box as Hazard and Oscar link up to feed the ball in to Costa. He turns down a shot and tries to slip in Hazard, but he again can't control the ball inside the box. Moments later, Oscar curls an effort well off target.

UPDATE: Chelsea's fellow Londoners Arsenal are in action tonight needing a win to keep their last 16 hopes alive, and they have got off to a decent start at the Emirates with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez giving them a 2-0 lead over Dinamo Zagreb. It is still goalless between Porto and Dynamo Kiev, meanwhile.

SHOT! Better from the hosts as they are able to come forward down the right and get a ball into the box. Chelsea manage to scramble it away as far as Ben Harush, who lashes a wild long-range effort well over the crossbar.

Willian wins a free kick for Chelsea in a good crossing position, which brings the big boys up from the back as the visitors look to get another from a set piece. Willian takes it himself, but his curling delivery is too close to the keeper, who punches it clear.

Another hint of a chance for Chelsea following some more lovely slick passing. Costa is the man who eventually tries to finish it off, but Dasa gets in with a strong challenge. From the resulting corner, Baba Rahman fires a long-range effort well over the crossbar.

UPDATE: There has been a goal in Portugal, and it has surprisingly gone the way of the visitors as Yarmolenko has given Dynamo Kiev the lead from the penalty spot. That means that Chelsea would not qualify tonight, although at the same time it would increase their chances of finishing top of the group.

As if this task wasn't hard enough for Maccabi Tel Aviv, they have just had their most experienced defender sent off and will now have to play the remainder of this match with just 10 men. It is a wild challenge from Ben Haim, who failed to bring Costa down with one attempted trip before kicking out at the striker to finally bring him down. It looked more cynical than malicious, and perhaps a red could be considered harsh, but you can see why the referee made that decision. It was stupid from Ben Haim.

Chelsea will be particularly keen to get a second goal before the break now, but Hazard's latest shot is tame and trickles into the arms of the keeper.

That red card has seen a reshuffle at the back for Maccabi, with Ben Harush going into the middle to fill the void left by Ben Haim and Rikan seemingly dropping into left-back.

The first half comes to an end, then, and despite Jose Mourinho not looking entirely happy on the sidelines, his side are surely 45 minutes away from another victory in this season's Champions League. They may only lead by one at the break, but Maccabi are also a man down and will need to play the majority of this match at a numerical disadvantage now. It was hard enough to see them getting anything out of the game to start with, but right now it looks like an impossible task.

The goal came from Gary Cahill after 20 minutes, although Chelsea did have a stroke of luck in the process. Cahill's initial header was a good one, but Rajkovic made a brilliant reflex save to turn the ball onto the post. However, it bounced right back into the path of Cahill, who reacted quickest to stab it home from close range with the goal gaping.

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The other major talking point of the half arrived five minutes before the interval as Ben Haim was given his marching orders with a straight red card. It was a wild kick out from the defender as he looked to bring Costa down having failed with an attempted trip seconds before. There wasn't a huge connection and his intentions seemed to be more about stopping Costa than hurting him, but it was still stupid from Ben Haim.

Maccabi actually started the match the better of the two sides and could have been ahead within a couple of minutes when Peretz rose to meet a header inside the box, only to put it a few yards over the top when he should have done better. They came forward again moments later as they continued their bright start to the match, but Dasa skewed an effort well wide and they have barely threatened at all since then.

Chelsea have completely controlled the game and look very comfortable, but clear-cut chances have been relatively hard to come by for the visitors. Their only shots on target came with the header that led to the goal as Maccabi, defending in numbers and very deep, have done a credible job of keeping Chelsea from really troubling Rajkovic often. Fabregas came close with a clever chipped effort, while Azpilicueta has also had a decent sight of goal, but Mourinho will want his side to create more.

It does seem like only a matter of time before Chelsea do score again, but they may need to shoot earlier in their moves to do so. Often they have been almost trying to walk the ball into the back of the net, playing some slick football in and around the box without any real end product. Still, though, it would be a huge surprise if Chelsea didn't win this one. Maccabi do still stand a slight chance as long as the deficit stands at one, but it is hard to see anything other than defeat for the hosts.

KICKOFF: The hosts get us back underway for the second half as they look to somehow turn this around and keep their European aspirations alive.

Ben Chaim is furious at the referee here as his counter is ended by Willian bundling into him. It certainly looked like a foul, but the referee says no.

CHANCE! Perhaps this one isn't over yet! It is a huge chance for the hosts to level things up as Dasa gets in front of Hazard, who simply gives up on his defensive duties. Alberman picks his marauding full-back out with a lively ball, but Begovic is out quickly to thwart Dasa from a tight angle.

There have been reports this season that Hazard and Mourinho have fallen out this season over the Belgian's defensive work, and that is certainly not going to improve their relations. He simply stop running and pointed to Cahill to come across instead when he should have tracked the run all the way.

Another nervous moment for Chelsea as Azpilicueta nods the ball back to Begovic, without realising that his keeper had started to come for it himself. Begovic gets down to collect the ball, but it was a little more shaky than Mourinho would have liked.

Half a chance for Chelsea as Matic slides a pass inside the full-back for Baba Rahman, who delays his cross before sliding a low ball into the box. Hazard is making the run towards the front post, but it is a yellow shirt who gets there first and the chances goes begging.

Maccabi have shown enough in this second half to suggest that this match will not be over until Chelsea get a second goal. It is still very much advantage Chelsea, both on the scoreboard and numerically, but the hosts are looking a little more dangerous since the break.

YELLOW CARD! The first yellow card of the night is shown to Matic, who brought Alberman down after the Maccabi midfielder had escaped the attentions of a couple of blue shirts.

Almost another chance for Maccabi as, from the resulting free kick, Zahavi floats one towards Peretz at the back post. The marking is poor from Chelsea, but the ball is just a yard or so out of the reach of Peretz as it bounces through for a goal kick.

SAVE! That's more like it from Chelsea as Hazard collects a bouncing ball on the right side of the area before firing a half-volley towards the bottom far corner. Rajkovic reacts very well to parry the ball away, though.

SAVES! Two magnificent saves at either end as this game begins to heat up! First up it is Rajkovic as he makes a quite brilliant stop to deny Azpilicueta what looked like a certain goal at the back post, keeping a strong hand to push the ball away. Maccabi immediately break at the other end as Zahavi is released down the right channel, but his effort is tipped past the far post by Begovic. That was not far away at all from the Maccabi man.

Maccabi have had their chances here. They have been second best for long spells tonight, but this one is by no means over just yet. If Chelsea don't win this match they will be kicking themselves.

UPDATE: Any dropped points would be particularly costly as Dynamo Kiev have doubled their lead against Porto and look on course for a shock victory at the Estadio do Dragao. Elsewhere, Alexis has scored again to make it 3-0 to Arsenal against Dinamo Zagreb, while Barcelona are running riot against Roma, leading 5-0 with Suarez and Messi grabbing two apiece.

CHELSEA SUB: The visitors make their first change of the night, and it is Hazard whose number is up. He trudges off to be replaced by Pedro, a three-time winner of this competition.

Big chance for Chelsea here as Alberman is penalised for a bodycheck on Willian, gifting the visitors a free kick in a perfect position for the Brazilian. Can he improve his incredible free kick record in this competition this season?

CHELSEA SUB: Before the free kick is taken Chelsea are forced into a change, and it is not often you see Terry needing to be stretchered off the field. He is here, though, which suggests that it must be quite a bad one for Terry, although it look fairly innocuous when the injury happened. On comes Kurt Zouma in his place.

He's done it again! That is quite incredible as Willian scores his sixth direct free kick of the season, and second against Maccabi. The wall jump and it takes a slight deflection on the way through, but that doesn't make any major difference as the ball nestles into the bottom corner. Rajkovic had no chance, and that is now four goals from direct free kicks in five Champions League games this season. Remarkable record.

Aside from that free kick record, it is also a very important goal for Chelsea. Maccabi have been better with 10 men in this second half than they were with 11 in the first and they were looking dangerous on the break. It is very hard to see them recovering from a two-goal deficit in the final 15 minutes, though.

Good chance for Chelsea to get a third as Fabregas floats a pass over the defence for Oscar, who finds himself in acres of space inside the box. He could go for the volley himself but instead chooses to flick it back to no-one and the hosts are able to clear.

No mistake from Oscar this time as Chelsea add a quickfire third to well and truly kill the game off. The Brazilian may finish it, nodding home from close range in the centre of the box, but it was put on a plate for him by Baba Rahman. The left-back swung a beauty of a cross into the middle, and Oscar only really needed to connect with it to score.

CHELSEA SUB: A third and final change for Chelsea sees Willian make way to be replaced by Loic Remy.

MACCABI SUB: The hosts also make a change as Ben Chaim is replaced by Eden Ben Basat for the final 10 minutes.

Almost a chance for Costa, who collects a pass from Fabregas on the left side of the area before bundling his way past two defenders, only for a third to come across and steal the ball off his toe as he was about to pull the trigger.

The hosts can be proud of their performance since going down to 10 men. They have looked a lot better since Ben Haim's red card five minutes before half time and have created the chances to have made this game very interesting. In the end, it is likely to be a comprehensive defeat - and we may not have seen the last of the goals yet - but they have at least given it a go since the interval.

YELLOW CARD! Fabregas goes into the book for Chelsea having brought Ben Harush down inside the Maccabi box with a sliding challenge. His studs were a little high, but there was no real force behind the sliding challenge.

MACCABI SUB: A second change for the hosts as Alberman departs to be replaced by Shlomy Azulay, who comes on for his European debut.

CLOSE! Pedro looks to provide a fourth for Chelsea, opening his body and trying to bend one into the bottom far corner. Rajkovic is scurrying across, but he has it covered as it bounces a yard wide.

CLOSE! Close again from Pedro as he works his way into the box before drilling a low strike past the same far post that he missed a couple of minutes ago. This time the keeper is rooted to the spot, though, and helpless as it goes narrowly wide.

MACCABI SUB: The hosts make their final change of the evening as captain Zahavi is replaced by Barak Itzhaki.

CHANCE! Decent chance for the hosts to get a consolation as they play a corner short and have a two-on-one situation. They work it well to get the cross into the box, and Carlos Garcia meets it and the front post, but his header lacks accuracy.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.

Chelsea have their fourth in stoppage time as Zouma rises highest to meet a corner before planting a powerful header past the keeper. Rajkovic has largely impressed tonight, but he may feel that he should have done better with that one.

CHANCE! Big chance for a Chelsea to get a fifth as the ball is worked out to Costa on the left, but his effort is straight at the keeper while his follow-up is also thwarted.

The referee brings an end to proceedings as Chelsea take another step towards qualification for the last 16 with a 4-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Goals from Cahill, Willian, Oscar and Zouma did the damage against the hosts, who were forced to play the majority of the match with 10 men after Tal Ben Haim had been sent off against his former club in the first half. The scoreline is perhaps a little harsh on Maccabi, but they can have no complaints at falling to a fifth loss of the group stages.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole as Chelsea repeat the Stamford Bridge scoreline against Maccabi Tel Aviv with a 4-0 triumph in Israel. Stick around for our match report, while we will also have reaction, analysis and player ratings up on the site shortly. From me, though it is goodbye for now!