Chelsea beat FC Porto 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night as Jose Mourinho’s side reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League and finished top of Group G in the process.
A first half own goal by Ivan Marcano set Chelsea on their way and Willian‘s second half strike sealed the win to hand Chelsea all three points as they finished top of the group on 13 points.
Porto finished in third place and had to settle for a place in the Europa League.
The Blues went 1-0 up inside the first 15 minutes as Costa’s shot ricocheted off the goalkeeper, hit Marcano and just crossed the line as a defender slid in to clear it. Mourinho punched the air with delight as Stamford Bridge erupted.
Oscar went down in the box after a great run but the referee waved away his penalty appeal, but the home side continued to pour forward and caused Porto plenty of problems. Just before half time Costa’s header was saved by Iker Casillas’ fingertips in a feisty encounter where three Porto players, plus Costa and Ramires for Chelsea, were booked.
With Kiev winning at home against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Porto needed to win at Stamford Bridge to make the last 16 but it was all Chelsea to start the second half with Willian’s shot well saved by Casillas but then it was 2-0 to the Blues.
Oscar played in Eden Hazrd and he slotted the ball wide to Willian who hammered the ball home into the bottom corner to put Chelsea in a very comfortable situation. Owner Roman Abramovich was then shown with a huge smile on his face as he celebrated and the mood was a hugely positive one inside the Bridge, which hasn’t been the case on most matchdays this season.
Chelsea pushed for more goals late on with Hazard playing in Costa but the Brazilian defender took too much time on the ball and Porto’s defense cleared, then Oscar’s cheeky back-heel almost beat Casillas but he saved down low and then Hazard’s shot hit the outside of the post and out.
At the final whistle Mourinho looked like a relieved man as he had beaten his former side and safely guided Chelsea through to the knockout rounds of the UCL as group winners. Job done.
