Shakhtar Donetsk moved within touching distance of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Ukrainian champions on the verge of qualification to last 16
Shakhtar Donetsk moved within touching distance of qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with an impressive 3-0 win over Partizan Belgrade.
All the goals came after the interval as the Ukrainian champions bared their teeth to display their cutting edge in front of goal.
Two strikes within seven minutes from Taras Stepanenko and Jadson put them on the road to victory, before substitute Eduardo sealed the game.
The Ukrainian champions now lead the group as Arsenal were beaten by Braga in Portugal.
Shakhtar have now won six of their last seven UEFA Champions League games and have a team that could be this year's dark horses.
Their vibrant attacking Brazilian quartet of Douglas Costa, Jadson, Willian and Luiz Adriano have the ability to unlock the tightest of European defences.
Confidence
Shakhtar entered the game brimming with confidence, having lost just two matches in their last 35 games in all competitions.
But it was the home side that started the game in a boisterous manner and took the match to their opponents.
Mladen Krstajic went close in the opening minutes, but his header was cleared off the line and he saw a thunderous free-kick saved later on in the half by Shakhtar goalkeeper Andrei Pyatov.
However, it soon became clear that if the visitors were to get anything from out of this game, then Darijo Srna would be involved.
The buccaneering right-back's boundless energy ensured he was a constant thorn in the Partizan defence as he always available as an outlet.
Control
Shakhtar, though, had to wait until after the interval to take control of the game as three goals in 15 minutes effectively killed the contest.
Stepanenko rifled the ball home from close range after Jadson's corner came off Krstajic and fell into the path of the defender who made no mistake after 52 minutes.
It may have been a case of frustration, or just plain spitefulness, but it should have seen Radosav Petrovic sent off when he smashed his arm into Adriano's face a minute later.
However, they exacted their revenge in the perfect manner when they doubled their advantage through one of their silky Brazilians.
Srna again got free down the right flank and pulled the ball from Jadson who barely broke stride to sweep the ball home with real aplomb a minute shy of the hour mark.
Eduardo was left to apply the gloss to the game when he rose from the bench to finish off a centre from Willian at close-range.
Shakhtar will now host Braga at the Donbass Arena in the final group game next month, needing just a point to ensure that they finish top of the group.
| FK Partizan Belgrade |
Team Statistics |
Shakhtar Donetsk |
| 0 |
Goals |
3 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 8 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
0 |
| 6 |
Corners |
8 |
| 22 |
Fouls |
20 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
3 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 74.6 |
Passing Success |
81.6 |
| 16 |
Tackles |
17 |
| 81.2 |
Tackles Success |
70.6 |
| 41.2 |
Possession |
58.8 |
| 60.2 |
Territorial Advantage |
39.8 |
|
