Thursday 10 December 2015 09:49, UK
Chelsea claimed a 2-0 win over Porto to book their place in the Champions League knockout stages and ease the pressure on Jose Mourinho. Here, Nick Wright reports from Stamford Bridge on a night when things finally seemed to click for the Blues...
In a season of unprecedented lows, Chelsea enjoyed a rare night of celebration as Jose Mourinho's players responded to their humiliation against Bournemouth with their best performance in months. Roman Abramovich applauded in the directors' box as they qualified as Group G winners, and the manager's name rang out from all corners of Stamford Bridge to quieten recent speculation over his future.
Mourinho has asked his players for extra intensity to arrest their alarming slump this season, and they certainly showed it here. With their manager cajoling and encouraging from the touchline, the Blues showed the kind of dynamism and desire that has been sorely lacking in these gruelling opening months of the campaign.
And it wasn't just a question of desire. There was a large slice of good fortune with the 12th-minute own goal that eased the tension among the locals, but for the first time this season, Chelsea's big players produced performances befitting their reputations, and, as was so often the case last season, it was Eden Hazard who led the way.
The Belgian's first major contribution was the slide-rule pass to release Diego Costa for the opening goal, and his influence grew as the game went on. He set up the excellent Willian for Chelsea's second goal shortly after half-time, and he was a deadly outlet on the counter-attack in the closing stages of the game.
The only downside was that he didn't find a goal to end his drought. His best opportunity came when his low shot bounced back off the woodwork after a mesmerising dribble in the second half, and shortly afterwards he headed a presentable chance straight at Porto 'keeper Iker Casillas. Frustration, then, but the standing ovation that greeted his substitution was well deserved.
Costa, too, showed signs of recovery after his two-game exile from Chelsea's starting XI. The striker spurned scoring opportunities including a one-on-one in the second half, but his industrious display was met with approval by Mourinho, and the amicable handshake between the pair when he was substituted suggested their relationship may be repaired.
"He could have scored two or three goals today," said Mourinho in his post-match press conference. "His lack of confidence was clear but his attitude was very good and his movement was much better. The goals are coming."
There were positives for Mourinho in midfield, too. The Chelsea boss opted for steel over style with Ramires replacing the out-of-form Cesc Fabregas, and the decision seemed to bring the best out of Nemanja Matic, who looked like his old self with the added support of a more defensively-minded partner.
The Serb made more tackles and interceptions combined (10) than anyone else on the pitch, snuffing out danger and launching Chelsea attacks from deep. Indeed, no Chelsea player made more passes than Matic (51) and his success rate of 84.3 per cent was only bettered by John Terry. He even produced the kind of driving runs through midfield that became a hallmark of his imperious performances last season.
Further back, John Terry and Kurt Zouma functioned well as a centre-back pairing, with the latter showing his recovery pace with one last-ditch tackle late in the second half, and in goal, the fit again Thibaut Courtois was alert when called upon. Apart from a couple of efforts from the lively Yacine Brahimi, Chelsea were able to contain Porto's threat.
Mourinho cut a relieved figure after the game, and he was delighted with how his players responded. "The thing that I'm most happy with, apart from the result, was the fact that we needed one point to qualify and the players accepted the challenge of playing to win," he said. "That is not easy when the moment is so bad and the pressure is so high. They were brave to accept the challenge."
Mourinho spoke like a man who thinks his squad is finally pulling in the same direction, but the next test is to ensure this result is not another false dawn. Chelsea travel to Premier League leaders Leicester City on Monday Night Football. Mourinho needs more of the same.
Watch Leicester v Chelsea live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm on Monday
