Perhaps Chelsea should play in the Champions League every week.
The Blues shook off their Premier League malaise to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europe’s elite for the 12th time in 13 attempts and the 10th time as group winners. The defence of the league title maybe in tatters but at least there is the prospect of a last-16 tie to look forward to in the new year.
There will not be the ignominy of Thursday night football in the Europa League, that’s for sure. An own goal from Ivan Marcano, created by Diego Costa causing havoc, and a stunner from the free-scoring Willian made sure of that.
Costa was starting for the first time since he fell out with Jose Mourinho in the wake of the 4-0 win in Israel and everybody’s favourite pantomime villain was always going to be at the centre of the action.
It took just over 11 minutes for him to make a telling contribution. A threaded pass from Eden Hazard put the Brazilian through on goal. Marcano made a mistake in letting him get a shot on goal then compounded things by inadvertently deflecting the saved shot past his own keeper and into the back of the net. Maicon desperately tried to keep the ball out with a last-ditch slide but it had already crossed the line. Cue mass relief at the Bridge.
It was, incredibly, the fifth own goal Chelsea have profited from this season. Only Willian has scored more this season for the Blues.
However, Costa’s ability to collect cards at a greater rate than he collects goals and assists was evident again as he picked up a needless booking soon after. Two theatrical second-half dives may have earned him a second yellow from some officials.
He was, in his defence, on the receiving end of his fair share of rough treatment from the opposition who, like most, seemed keen to test his temperament. One swipe at his ankles by Bruno Martins Indi at the end of the first half was particularly crude.
Chelsea were not shy in the muscularity department either, with Nemanja Matic booked for one heavily challenge on Yachine Brahimi. Hazard, much to the delight of Mourinho, did his fair share of dirty work. The Belgian playmaker won a header in his own box one minute and was winning a foul from Danilo on halfway the next. Hazard earned particularly warm applause from his manager when he tracked back and forced the overlapping Miguel Layun to send a cross behind for a goal kick.
Leading 1-0 at the break, Chelsea were craving the comfort of a second goal and it arrived after seven minutes of the second period. Shortly after Costa and Willian had combined for the latter to fire a shot at Iker Casillas, a virtual carbon copy of that move, this time with Hazard supplying the pass to Willian, saw Casillas comprehensively beaten at the near post. It was Willian’s seventh goal of the season and his fifth in six Champions League games. The only group game he has failed to score in was the goalless draw in Kiev. It is quite some record.
Porto responded by making a double change and they almost got back in it just past the hour when Brahimi’s curling effort, from the left-hand edge of the box, was prevented from finding the far corner by a glance of Branislav Ivanovic’s meaty head.
Blocks from Kurt Zouma, John Terry and a smart, low one-handed save from Thibault Courtois ensured a morale-boosting clean sheet and only Hazard and Costa will know how they didn’t extend Chelsea’s winning margin late on. But, frankly, who cares. There were even ole’s by the end. This was more like the Chelsea of old.
