Nemanja Matic’s header on Tuesday ended Sporting’s proud four-year steak unbeaten at home in Europe, as Chelsea seized control of the UEFA Champions League Group G with a 1-0 victory in Lisbon.
Booed by the home fans throughout, Matic, who used to play for Sporting’s bitter rivals SL Benfica, nodded in Cesc Fabregas’ in-swinging free-kick at the back post after 34 minutes.
Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, returning to the Estadio Jose Alvalade two decades after starting his coaching career there as an interpreter, could have enjoyed a more comfortable night if not for home goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
Photo: Reuters
The Sporting captain denied prolific Chelsea striker Diego Costa, Andre Schuerrle and Oscar with a string of important saves, but his heroics were in vain.
“We had so many chances to kill it off, but it was one of those nights when it wouldn’t go in and thankfully Nemanja Matic scored,” Chelsea captain John Terry, who made his 100th appearance in the Champions League, told Sky Sports.
After the disappointing home draw against Schalke 04 two weeks ago, Mourinho said he would “risk” playing striker Costa, who has been suffering with hamstring problems, in the hope that his side could secure a much-needed win.
The gamble nearly offered an instant payoff when Costa beat the offside trap to run clear on Sporting’s goal, but Patricio blocked well with an outstretched leg.
Patrico came to his side’s rescue again after 15 minutes when Schuerrle tried to dribble round him. The German then passed up an even better chance when he ran on to an Eden Hazard’s pull-back, but placed his shot wide.
The Blues finally found a way past the inspired ’keeper shortly after when Matic’s looping header back across goal nestled in the net.
Sporting enjoyed more possession in the second half with winger Nani, on loan from Manchester United, seeing plenty of the ball in dangerous areas. However, it was Chelsea who threatened on the counterattack when Oscar ran clear, but Patricio again blocked.
Buoyed by that reprieve, the home side nearly equalized as Nani got on the end of a flowing move, but could only hit the side netting.
A frenetic end to the match saw Patricio block more one-on-one chances from Costa and substitute Mohamed Salah, while Fredy Montero nearly snatched a draw for the hosts in the last minute, but planted his header wide as Sporting’s 16-match unbeaten run ended.
The victory took Chelsea to the top of the table on four points after Schalke 04 were held to a surprise 1-1 draw at home to Slovenian side NK Maribor.
Schalke had to come from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw against the underdogs after failing to replicate their improving Bundesliga form in Europe’s top-tier competition.
Damjan Bohar gave the visiting Slovenian side a surprise lead against the run of play in the 37th minute, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leveled 11 minutes after the restart before die Konigsblauen missed several good chances to win the game in the second half.
The Ruhr valley club looked slow at the back and were repeatedly caught napping despite dominating possession at the Veltins-Arena.
The result leaves Schalke on two points in Group G, level with Maribor also on two.
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