Chelsea 2 - 0 FC Porto
10.12.2015 18:34
Chelsea forgot their domestic woes by easing into the Champions League knockout stage with a routine victory which eliminated opponents Porto.
The Blues enjoyed some luck for the opener as Diego Costa's low shot was saved by Porto keeper Iker Casillas and rebounded in off Ivan Marcano.
Porto, needing to win to join Chelsea in the last 16, offered little threat.
Willian ensured Chelsea advanced as Group G winners by thumping in a rising shot from 20 yards after the break.
The Blues created plenty of opportunities in the final 15 minutes, exploiting the space left behind as Porto chased an improbable comeback at Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard struck the post from a tight angle, while recalled striker Costa wasted two clear opportunities as Chelsea threatened a third.
Routine win equals routine last-16 draw?
The comfort with which Chelsea negotiated a potentially nervy evening came as welcome relief for manager Jose Mourinho, after a season which has lurched from one calamity to another.
The reigning Premier League champions have struggled domestically, losing eight of their 15 top-flight matches this season to leave them in 14th position.
Mourinho's position has been under intense scrutiny amid their perilous league position, but he insisted before the match that he retained the unwavering support of Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
And his players responded to Saturday's shock home defeat by newly-promoted Bournemouth with a solid, if not sparkling, victory.
Winning their group means the Blues will avoid the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich when the last-16 draw is made on Monday.
The London side will be drawn against either Paris St-Germain, Juventus, PSV Eindhoven, Benfica, Roma or Gent.
Costa shows he is Mourinho's cuppa
Mourinho was able to restore captain John Terry following injury and, more significantly, summoned Diego Costa back into his starting XI.
The Spain striker enjoyed a productive debut campaign as the Blues easily won the Premier League title last season, but was left on the bench against Tottenham and Bournemouth after struggling to replicate that impact this term.
Costa responded with an industrious display against Porto, creating space for his team-mates with his movement and drawing the save from Casillas which led to Chelsea's opener.
He also linked up neatly with Hazard for Chelsea's second, holding up the ball to bring in the Belgian, who played in Willian for his seventh goal of the season.
The only blemish in Costa's performance was his inability to score himself and he was bundled over by Porto defender Danilo when clean through in the final 15 minutes.
Nevertheless, he received a standing ovation when he was replaced in the final few minutes - and a warm embrace from Mourinho.
Porto feeling the blues
Porto, who are second in the Portuguese top-flight, arrived with 10 wins in their previous 12 matches - but offered little adventure at Stamford Bridge.
Julen Lopetegui's side had only lost once in 19 matches this season and beat Chelsea 2-1 in September's reverse fixture.
But former Barcelona goalkeeper Lopetegui named a conservative-looking side to face the Blues, including five recognised defenders, two holding midfielders and no out-and-out striker.
With Dynamo Kiev winning 1-0 against already-eliminated Maccabi Tel Aviv, Porto needed victory to join Chelsea in the last 16.
But they failed to register a shot on target in the first half and rarely worried Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois after the break.
(BBC)
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