Sporting 0-1 Chelsea
Former Benfica man Nemanja Matić's 34th minute header was the difference for Chelsea as they beat Sporting in what was a spirited performance from the Leões.
Chelsea had dominated the first half and were well deserving of their lead but Sporting improved greatly in the second half and were able to take the game to the visitors although the hosts had to rely on that man Rui Patrício several times during the match.
Marco Silva stuck with the same team that drew against Porto on Friday, Jonathan Silva continuing to keep Jefferson out of the left-back spot and starting with a perhaps surprisingly risky set of wingers in Nani and André Carrillo.
José Mourinho decided to risk Diego Costa despite doubts about his hamstring. Elsewhere Filipe Luís started again at left back ahead of César Azpilicueta.
Sporting were 16 European games unbeaten at José Alvalade going into this but it was always going to be a tough test for this young squad against Mourinho’s powerful Chelsea.
Mourinho's team dominate early on
That was evident straight away with Chelsea dominating possession early on. The Blues could have taken the lead in the second minute when Diego Costa broke Sporting’s offside trap and was free one on one against Rui Patrício. Patrício got down early enough to deny Costa’s low finish but it was an event that set the tone for the first half.
Rui Patrício was the saviour again in the 15th minute when Oscar found André Schürrle in space but the German failed to beat the Portugal goalkeeper from close range.
Sporting’s best chance of the first half came through an excellent cross from Jonathan Silva on the left which found the head of Islam Slimani. The Algerian headed down into the ground but it was an easy save for Thibaut Courtois.
André Schürrle blew an even better chance in the 22nd minute when Naby Sarr, who looked lost out at sea through the first half, allowed Eden Hazard in behind. The Belgian’s cutback found Schürrle who should have been easily following up to score but somehow managed to poke his shot wide.
Nemanja Matić heads Chelsea into the lead
When Chelsea’s goal did eventually come it came through an unlikely, although familiar, source. André Carrillo fouled Eden Hazard on the outside of the area and Cesc Fàbregas sent in a floated freekick that found the former Benfica man Nemanja Matić to head in.
Much like the game against Porto this was a game of two halves for Sporting who were much improved after the break. The home side were looking more threatening and had much more of the possession whilst Chelsea looked to counter on the break.
Rui Patrício was there once again when Fàbregas, whose passes were constantly picking apart the Sporting defence, found Oscar in space. Once against though the goalkeeper was there to deny Chelsea. From that chance Sporting broke and Nani found space at a tight angle but his shot hit the wrong side of the netting.
A bloody Maurício is forced off
There was huge concern for Sporting when Maurício was forced off after a collision with Adrien Silva. The Brazilian defender had fouled Diego Costa as he tried to break and with Adrien running back, had been accidentally struck by the midfielder’s knee. The Brazilian, mouth all bloody, couldn’t continue and was replaced by Paulo Oliveira and will surely be a doubt for the upcoming game against Costa’s old club, Penafiel.
There was a penalty shout for Sporting that Spanish referee Antonio Mateu, who had irked the Sporting fans frequently, didn’t give for what looked like a foul by Fàbregas on André Carrillo.
Whilst Sporting looked to try and find an equaliser Chelsea were again breaking and usually coming up against the excellent Rui Patrício.
Sporting’s best chance in the dying embers of the game came through Nani, who hit a long range shot that was inches wide of Courtois’ goal.
Despite the defeat Sporting will take heart from their second half performance but know that it would perhaps take 2 wins against Schalke, who failed to beat Maribor at home, to progress. It’s difficult but not impossible for Marco Silva’s side.
by Richard Cole
Sporting: Rui Patrício; Cédric Soares, Maurício (Paulo Oliveira, 63'), Naby Sarr, Jonathan Silva; William Carvalho, Adrien Silva (Fredy Montero, 81'), João Mário; André Carrillo (Diego Capel, 81'), Nani, Islam Slimani
Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois; Branislav Ivanović, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Felipe Luís; Cesc Fàbregas, Nemanja Matić; Eden Hazard (Mohamed Salah, 84'), Oscar (Jon Obi Mikel, 71'), André Schürrle (Willian, 58'); Diego Costa
Goals:
[0-1] Nemanja Matić, 34
