Visiting goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a dreadful mistake to hand Avram Grant's men an early lead and they never looked seriously troubled on their way to a comfortable Group B success.

Reduced ticket prices meant a packed Stamford Bridge for this clash and the home fans were given the perfect start when Malouda put the Blues in front after four minutes.

The winger received the ball on the wide left, before jinking inside Rafinha and sending in a tame shot that Neuer somehow allowed to trickle through his legs.

Schalke midfielder Carlos Grossmuller had a goal ruled out for offside on the quarter-hour mark but most of the action was at the other end, with Michael Essien's header forcing Neuer into a good save a few minutes later.

Grossmuller threatened again when he got onto the end of a lofted pass but he could not lift his header over Petr Cech and Chelsea went into half-time still in front.

And they were 2-0 up just two minutes after the interval when Drogba met Paulo Ferreira's right-wing cross with a glancing header past Neuer.

The Blues went in search of more goals but Cech was extremely fortune to see Soren Larsen's header rebound off the post into his hands in the 61st minute.

It was a rare moment of concern for the hosts but they never came close to adding a third goal, with Frank Lampard's 25-yard effort straight at Neuer the best they offered.

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