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Chelsea's Fernando Torres (3rd right) is congratulated by his team mates after scoring their side's second goal of the game

Chelsea strengthened their grip on top spot in Group E of the UEFA Champions League with a 5-0 rout of Genk at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Inspired by a brace from Fernando Torres, the Blues cruised to victory over their Belgian opponents, who were utterly outplayed throughout the match. Raul Meireles, Branislav Ivanovic and Salomon Kalou also got their names on the score sheet.

Andre Villas-Boas’s team is top of the group with seven points, one ahead of German side Bayer Leverkusen, who defeated Valencia 2-1 at the BayArena.

Chelsea dominated right from the off and took the lead with just eight minutes on the clock – midfielder Raul Meireles found the bottom corner of the net with a dipping long range strike that gave goalkeeper Laszlo Koteles no chance.

And just three minutes later Fernando Torres made it 2-0, getting on the end of a through ball from Frank Lampard before opening his body to guide a shot beyond the helpless Genk goalkeeper.

The Blues looked likely to score every time they attacked and it was no surprise when, on 27 minutes, Torres netted his second of the night. The Spanish striker scored with a glancing header from Raul Meireles’s inch-perfect cross.

Chelsea made it 4-0 just a few minutes before half time, with defender Branislav Ivanovic nodding home from a Florent Malouda free kick. The goal’s ease and simplicity epitomised Chelsea’s play on the night.

Torres had a chance to complete a hat-trick on 72 minutes, turning Jose Bosingwa’s cross goalwards, but Koteles pulled off a great save at point-blank range – only for substitute Salomon Kalou to turn home the rebound and notch up Chelsea’s fifth.