WILLIAN NETS AS BLUES CRUISE
Abramovich laps up vital victory
AFTER a run of results that threatened to blow Jose Mourinho out of town, the wind was finally behind Chelsea’s manager last night.
Owner Roman Abramovich, sitting alongside wife Dasha Zhukova at Stamford Bridge, can save sacking Mourinho for a rainy day.
Victory over Porto guaranteed protection, the job security that Mourinho craved, as he guided Chelsea into the knockout phase of the Champions League.
There was a touch of fortune about the own goal — scored by Porto defender Ivan Marcano in the 12th minute — that gave Chelsea a precious early advantage. Undoubtedly, it settled their nerves.
When they scored a second through Willian after the break, spontaneous smiles and hugs broke out all around the place. Everyone was happy again.
Abramovich was cuddling his wife, presumably relieved that he had been spared sacking the ninth manager since he bought the club from Ken Bates in 2003.
On the touchline, after Willian had fired in Chelsea’s killer goal, Mourinho turned to his son Jose Jnr and let out an almighty yelp. Everybody at Chelsea, including their anxious fans, was friends again.
That little bit of luck, one of those moments that Mourinho has been talking about going his way, arrived after just 12 minutes.
Marcano’s unfortunate own goal, the ball rebounding in off his chest from goalkeeper Iker Casillas’s attempted clearance, was met with a muted fist-pump from Chelsea’s manager.
The goal gave Chelsea breathing space, putting some distance between them and a place in one of the pots for the Europa League draw on December 14.
High up in his executive box on the halfway line, Abramovich had made another special visit to see for himself whether Chelsea could put the Bournemouth defeat behind them. They were far from convincing at first, even with John Terry back in the heart of their defence after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. Gary Cahill made way.
Kurt Zouma had done enough in the past two games, particularly in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, to keep his place and lined up alongside Terry.
Porto were a handful, with the runs of forward Yacine Brahimi keeping Chelsea’s defenders occupied in a tricky opening spell.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved well from Brahimi in that period, the best chance the Portuguese team created in the opening 45 minutes. They looked limited.
Porto were a touch unlucky to concede, though, falling behind when Diego Costa was put clean through by a clever touch around the corner from Eden Hazard (right).
When Casillas came out to meet Costa, his clearance ricocheted off Marcano and bounced agonisingly into the net.
It was a good start for Mourinho, giving the Chelsea manager some security on a night when he knew his old club — who he famously guided to Champions League glory in 2004 — would probably have to win to stay in the competition.
At times there was an element of adventure about Chelsea’s game, with Oscar drawing a booking for right back Maxi Pereira when he nutmegged him down the left. Oscar provided the first half ’s most magical moment, trading passes with Nemanja Matic and then reading Willian’s backheel on the edge of the penalty area.
The only thing missing was a final flourish. Mourinho approved of the move, watching the weight of passes from his spot on the edge of the technical area and wondering whether Oscar would go on to finish it off. Not this time. Mourinho is still having issues with Costa and was baffled by his striker swinging a leg at Casillas when the Porto goalkeeper had rushed out to collect the ball inside his area.
His impact at the start of the second half was more positive, feeding Willian with a clever ball on the edge of the area as Chelsea went on the attack. This time Casillas saved. There was nothing he could do to prevent Willian’s strike in the 52nd minute, the Brazilian striking the goal that finally put this Champions League group to bed. Porto were asleep, leaving their game in the dressing room as Chelsea went in search of the second. They got the goal their game deserved.
They made Porto look ordinary here, fulfilling the ambition of this club by qualifying for the knockout rounds. Incredibly, despite all the drama around Chelsea over the past few days, they completed the job with something to spare. They deserved this win.
Chelsea worked hard for it, no question, and they returned to the good old days of carrying out Mourinho’s wishes to the letter.
Porto made a couple of changes in a lame, desperate attempt to salvage the game when they brought on striker Vincent Aboubakar and Ruben Neves. At 2-0 down, it was too late.
Costa had another big chance to score when he was put clean through, but a heavy first touch with his right boot let him down.
He was substituted five minutes from time, clutching his right knee as he walked off to a standing ovation from the Chelsea fans who are still on his side.