A strike from Kai Havertz earned Chelsea a battling 2-1 victory at Red Bull Salzburg as they clinched a spot in the Champions League round of 16 as group winners.
Kai Havertz Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Chelsea put on a dazzling display in the first half, taking the lead in the 23rd minute through Mateo Kovacic's instinctive left-foot finish from 20 metres, but they wasted several chances to double their advantage before the interval.
The Premier League side were made to pay for their profligacy early in the second half as Junior Adamu prodded home the equaliser, only for Havertz to restore Chelsea's lead with a superb curled strike into the top corner in the 64th minute.
The win moved them three points clear of second-placed AC Milan, whose 4-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb meant Chelsea will finish top in Group E.
The victory meant coach Graham Potter became the second Englishman to go undefeated in his first nine games as Chelsea manager after William Lewis in 1906-07.
Salzburg are third in the group, and must beat Milan in Italy next week to reach the last 16.
Borussia Dortmund drew 0-0 with already-qualified Manchester City to book their spot with a game to spare.
The result made sure that City, who missed a second-half penalty and are on 11 points, will top Group G while Dortmund, on eight, punched the second qualifying ticket, locking down second spot ahead of third-placed Sevilla, who have five points.
Finishing top of the group ensures a club will be seeded for the draw for the next round.
Benfica's Rafa Silva scored two superb goals as they edged Juventus 4-3 in a thriller at Estadio da Luz to seal a place in the knockout stages and end the Italian club's chances in this year's competition.
Benfica have 11 points from five games, the same as Group H leaders Paris St Germain, who beat Maccabi Haifa 7-2 with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe both scoring twice.
Champions Real Madrid suffered a first defeat of the season as RB Leipzig strengthened their hopes of making the last 16 with a 3-2 win.
Real, who had already qualified for the knockout stage, have 10 points, while Leipzig have 9 and Shakhtar Donetsk 6.
Celtic finish bottom of their group after drawing 1-1 with Donetsk.
-Reuters
