Sporting Lisbon 0 Chelsea 1
Jose Mourinho praised his team’s performance as Chelsea won narrowly in Lisbon last night despite wasting numerous chances in front of goal.
The 2012 winners got their first victory of this year’s Champions League campaign after a 34th minute header from Nemanja Matic gave them a 1-0 win in the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
The victory brought to an end Sporting Lisbon’s 16 game unbeaten run in the competition and sent the Blues to the top of Group G.
Mourinho told Sky Sports: “Today we didn’t kill the game but the reality is that we played so well. We were compact, confident and played with so much control.
“The four defenders, plus Matic and Fabregas, were completely dominant in the game.”
Chelsea had 15 shots in the match with Costa, Schurrle, Oscar and Salah all squandering opportunities to score with just the keeper to beat.
“I’m unhappy we didn’t score more goals but the reason for that was not my players but the Sporting goalkeeper” Mourinho added.
“Now we control our own destiny. If we beat Maribor at Stamford Bridge we will have seven points and this will give us stability.”
Chelsea face Premier League title rivals Arsenal on Sunday and the fitness of star striker Diego Costa, who played the full 90 minutes in Lisbon, will be of paramount concern.
“The players were tired, I could see that on the pitch, but now is time to rest and think about Arsenal.”
During the game Chelsea captain John Terry joined former team mates Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard in becoming just the sixth Englishman to make 100 Champions League appearances.
The ex-England defender told Sky Sports: “There are not many players who have achieved that so I’m very proud. I’ve had a successful career so far, long may it continue.”
Image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube, with thanks
