Sporting Lisbon 0 Chelsea 1
Nemanja Matic’s superb looping header earned Chelsea a deserved Champions League victory in Lisbon.
The former Benfica midfielder met a floated Cesc Fabregas cross at the back post and guided the ball into the far corner of the Sporting Lisbon net.
Sporting posed a far greater threat in a vastly improved – and increasingly open – second half, but the Blues stood firm to claim a vital away win in their second group game.
Having only drawn their opener against Schalke at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho’s side attacked with quality and urgency from the outset and could have been three goals ahead by the time Matic netted.
Diego Costa, who started despite ongoing concerns about a hamstring injury, was denied an opener inside two minutes by a brilliant Rui Patricio block.
And the Sporting goalkeeper made a fine save to thwart Andre Schurrle, who also missed a glorious chance after being teed up by the excellent Eden Hazard.
Islam Slimani missed the home side’s beat chance, a downward header that was easily dealt with by Thibaut Courtois.
But Sporting played with far greater purpose after the interval, with former Manchester United winger Nani at the heart of nearly all their best work.
He curled one effort just wide and also hit the side netting after a fine team move.
But Chelsea were still creating – and missing – the best chances.
Oscar poked an effort straight at the on-rushing Patricio when through on goal, Costa had a shot blocked and the Blues failed to make the most of several promising positions to put the game beyond Sporting’s reach.
Costa was cynically hacked down when attempting to race through on the break and the big striker, who was subjected to some hefty challenges throughout, was again thwarted by the superb Patricio after Matic’s lovely through-ball.
Felipe Luis and substitute Mohamed Salah also went close.
At the other end, Nani almost levelled with another curled strike late on but John Terry, making his 100th Champions League start, was strong alongside Gary Cahill in the face of some sustained home pressure.
The victory means Chelsea are top of Group G, two points clear of Maribor and Schalke who drew 1-1 in the other match.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Schurrle (Willian 58), Oscar (Mikel 71), Hazard (Salah 84); Diego Costa
Subs not used: Cech, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Remy.
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This post was last modified on 01/10/2014