Tore Andre Flo and Gianfranco Zola led the rout as Chelsea moved into second place in their Champions League group by smashing Galatasaray in an incredible 5-0 romp.

Gianluca Vialli's side made a mockery of the hostile atmosphere in the Ali Sami Yen Stadium by showing the Turks their own version of Hell - a masterclass in skill, discipline and finishing.

Gianfranco Zola was the tormenter-in-chief, an Italian devil whose skill shone brighter than any firecracker that lit up the ground. This was to be his, and Chelsea's, night.

Vialli dropped Chris Sutton and Dennis Wise - the two English players who have made the most appearances this season - and was rewarded as the recalled Tore Andre Flo and Jody Morris combined to clinically open the scoring after 30 minutes.

The first goal was created by Poyet, crafted by Zola and completed by Flo. Poyet won the ball in his own half, knocked it to Morris, whose ball to Zola was then lofted to set off Flo at an angle. He was closed down by Gica Popescu, but dipped his shoulder and found half a yard to squeeze in a right-footed shot past Mehmet Bolukbasi.

The silence as the ball hit the net was deafening.

Poyet could have scored before then. Le Saux marauded down the left flank, Zola's jump distracted Emre, who could only watch as the unmarked midfielder's fierce first-time half-volley was punched to safety by Mehmet.

The Uruguayan was crucial to the build-up of the second goal, which effectively sealed the points on 49 minutes. Celestine Babayaro and Zola combined on the left, and Zola's header was cushioned by Poyet to Flo eight yards out.

The Norwegian took the ball on his chest and volleyed the ball joyously inside the corner of the goal. The pocket of 200 Chelsea fans were in heaven.

Their blue-tinged Utopian ideal became even sweeter when Zola's run from deep beat the offside trap and he was on his own a full 40 yards from goal. The Turkish defence had obviously had enough of being turned and twisted by the magician - too dizzy to know better, they had left him all alone. And he had the ball at his feet, the goal in his sights, and the freedom of Istanbul - there could only be one outcome.

Zola had enough time to nip back to the King's Road in Chelsea, buy a Turkish Delight and devour it in one mouthful - instead he drew the mesmerised keeper, dummied his foot over the ball and slid it into an empty net. When he was substituted, even the home fans applauded his contribution.

 There was even time for the substitutes to provide their own cameos. A fourth, which Flo unselfishly squared for sub Wise - making a record 28th European appearance for the Blues - to poke into the roof of the net.

And a fifth, which marked Gabriele Ambrosetti's first goal for the club, a stinging left-footer that cannoned into the corner.

Chelsea, who began the game offering more hospitality than their opponents, initially seemed happy to sit back and invite pressure into their own half, using the counter-attacking pace of Zola and Le Saux on the break.

Gheorghe Hagi was most influential early figure, winning free-kicks in dangerous areas, two of which offered half-chances to the Turks. The first one was not cleared properly and Le Saux sloppily chested the ball back into danger zone and was relieved when Okan's snapshot was blocked.

Leboeuf was booked for his third foul in the first ten minutes and again Hagi's left foot threatened. The Romanian dead-ball specialist curled his shot against the post.

Galatasaray were exploiting the aerial weakness in Chelsea's defence and former Zeytinburnuspor foward Arif soon had a header that looped into de Goey's arms. Local hero Hakan Sukur then split his markers and cracked a header onto the crossbar.

But Flo's opening goal signalled a change in Fatih Terim's tactics. This was a game Galatasaray could not afford to lose, and when they went one down, the onus was on them to score. Accordingly, Tugay pushed forward and more gaps opened at the other end. So it proved.

Even when Galatasaray felt there was a way through, they were denied. Hakan Sukur looked to have been tripped by Desailly in the area, but instead of awarding a penalty, referee Pereira booked the forward for diving.

So much for the daunting prospect of Istanbul.

As Chelsea made their way to the ground before the game, a brick was thrown against the window of their coach. The glass shattered.

Considering Chelsea would have taken a draw before the game, this result will serve as a wake up-call to the rest of Europe. The message is clear: write off Chelsea at your peril.

And Galatasaray, of course, are shattered.

Galatasaray: Mehmet, Popescu, Emre, Arif, Okan, Sukur (Saffet 65), Hagi (Hasan 46), Fatih (Umit 46), Tugay, Hakan, Capone.
Subs Not Used: Inan, Ahmet, Marcio, Ergun.
Booked: Sukur, Umit.

Chelsea: De Goey, Babayaro, Leboeuf, Desailly, Deschamps (Wise 66), Poyet (Petrescu 66), Le Saux, Ferrer, Flo, Morris, Zola (Ambrosetti 75).
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Hogh, Sutton, Lambourde.
Booked: Leboeuf.
Goals: Flo 32, 49, Zola 54, Wise 79, Ambrosetti 87.