The Times
Nicolas Anelka’s strike gives Chelsea laboured victoryChelsea 1 Porto 0
Oliver Kay, Football Correspondent
Roman Abramovich has another holy grail to obsess him after a week in which he was forced to abandon a planned ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. Back at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s latest crusade in the Champions League began with the first faltering steps on the long road to the final in Madrid next May.
Faltering? Only in the sense that their performance dipped in the final half-hour, after Nicolas Anelka had put them ahead. But Carlo Ancelotti, understandably, was content with a sixth victory in as many games in charge of Chelsea, a result that heightened the perception that his team, even when playing below their best, will be a force to be reckoned with once more this season.
Given that Chelsea routinely sail through group stages, victory in their opening game is no basis on which to judge Ancelotti, but the former AC Milan coach is entitled to a share of the credit for the way in which his team overcame a talented Porto side. Their progress was never entirely convincing, but the breakthrough, three minutes into the second half, came when Anelka was sent clear of the Porto defence by the persistence of Salomon Kalou, who had been pushed farther forward by his Italian coach as part of a tactical reshuffle at the interval.
As such, it would seem trite to pick holes in Chelsea’s performance. Yes, they missed Didier Drogba, starting a three-game suspension for his outburst at the referee after his team missed out on last season’s final in agonising circumstances against Barcelona in May, and yes, they could have been punished for the way they retreated in the closing stages, whether out of caution or fatigue, but Porto are a strong team who impressed in drawing 2-2 at Old Trafford in the quarter-final, first leg last season. Not until Fernando was sent off in the third minute of stoppage time, for a second bookable offence, did they accept that this would not be their night.
In that sense, this was probably the toughest match Chelsea have faced under Ancelotti. Porto are the antithesis of Stoke City, who were defeated on Saturday by a stoppage-time goal from Florent Malouda, but they are not a team to be taken lightly.
Nor are they a soft touch, as John Terry will testify, having been knocked out cold at one point in the first half by an elbow from Bruno Alves and been given an extensive examination in defence by Hulk, the 23-year-old Brazilian forward whose dubious moniker should become better known in the coming years.
One hundred and thirty-two days had passed since Andrés Iniesta plunged a dagger into Chelsea hearts with the stoppage-time goal that sent Barcelona to the final and sparked the furious reaction, led by Drogba, at Tom Henning Ovrebo, the Norwegian referee.
The pain from that elimination cannot be said to have healed and, as a series of half-chances went begging in the first half last night and a succession of menacing crosses from Branislav Ivanovic went unrewarded, the hangover seemed destined to drag on.
Relief came three minutes into the second half when Kalou, taking up a more central position, forced the ball through to Anelka. The France forward’s first attempt was saved by Helton, the Porto goalkeeper, but he was quickest to the loose ball, which he dispatched into the top corner, prompting Ancelotti to smile for the first time all evening.
Kalou had two headed chances to extend Chelsea’s lead, the first sent wide from Ashley Cole’s cross and the second saved by Helton after Ivanovic attacked down the opposite flank. But from that moment on, Porto took the initiative and Joe Cole, back on the Chelsea bench for the first time since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in January, when Luiz Felipe Scolari was in the dugout, must have sensed that he would have to wait a little longer for his comeback.
With nine minutes remaining, Álvaro Pereira got behind Ivanovic and crossed to the edge of the penalty area, where Silvestre Varela, with a downward volley, forced Petr Cech into an awkward, scrambling save. In stoppage time, Pereira crossed again and this time Falcao, diving to reach the ball six yards out, narrowly missed making a connection.
That was as good as it got for Porto. Within 30 seconds, Fernando, the central defender, had been sent off and Chelsea, finally, could relax. Their latest ascent is off to a successful start, but, as Abramovich will know, it is a long way to the summit.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): P Cech — B Ivanovic, R Carvalho, J Terry, A Cole — M Ballack, M Essien — S Kalou (sub: J Belletti, 77min), F Lampard, F Malouda — N Anelka. Substitutes not used: R Turnbull, S Hutchinson, J Bruma, J Cole, D Sturridge, F Borini. Booked: Essien, Malouda.
Porto (4-3-3): Helton — Fucile, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Álvaro Pereira — F Guarín, Fernando, Raul Meireles — M González (sub: Falcao, 54), Hulk, C Rodríguez (sub: S Varela, 64). Substitutes not used: Nuno, Maicon, C Sapunaru, F Belluschi, T Costa. Sent off: Fernando. Booked: Fernando, Rolando.
Referee: K Plautz (Austria).
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Telegraph:
Chelsea 1 Porto 0:
By Henry Winter at Stamford Bridge
Totally in keeping with the monsoon conditions, Chelsea made heavy weather of defeating Porto on Tuesday night. Nicolas Anelka steadied local nerves, scoring a wonderful winner just after the break, but this was hardly the regal first stride down the road to Madrid expected under Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian has been brought in by Chelsea’s owner, Roman Abramovich, to get the bridesmaids of the Champions League to the altar and they need to move more confidently up the aisle than this. Occasionally wasteful in possession, occasionally far too narrow, Chelsea were unimpressive, under siege for periods and ultimately reliant on the defensive excellence of Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole in particular to see them to safety.
The midfield balance was not right. Michael Essien is a dynamic presence, driving forward from the deep but he lacks the Claude Makélélé traits of sitting and holding, breaking up opposition moves and calmly transferring the ball to the likes of Frank Lampard. Essien also charged upfield, running into space that is usually such fertile ground for Lampard.
But never mind the quality, feel the quantity of points collected and Chelsea can also take heart from the welcome sight of Joe Cole on the bench, following his long absence with a knee injury. In mitigation, Chelsea can also point to the absence of the suspended Didier Drogba, whose battering-ram strength would have brought more pressure on a Porto defence ably organised by Bruno Alves, one of Europe’s most accomplished centre-halves.
Yet Anelka made his mark, settling the game three minutes into the second half. Salomon Kalou appeared to have miscontrolled the ball yet managed to squeeze it through the middle into the path of Anelka, who had timed his run well, staying just onside. Porto’s keeper, Helton, saved well but was caught out by Anelka’s brilliant follow-up, the ball swept between the Brazilian and his left-hand upright.
Chelsea hardly deserved the lead. During the first half, Ancelotti’s side endured awkward times, their composure not helped by a tactical system that meant the wide players, Kalou and Florent Malouda tucked inside. Chelsea sought width from Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic and both full-backs produced a few crosses. Lampard did meet one Ivanovic delivery with a powerful header punched away by Helton.
Chelsea suffered a nervy moment on their next visit to Helton’s area. Rising for the ball, John Terry took a forearm in the face from Bruno Alves and fell to the sodden earth, lying immobile for a worrying minute. Natural gladiator that he is, Terry soon recovered, waving away the stretcher, hobbling to the touchline before resuming his battle with Hulk.
Porto’s deft centre-forward kept running strongly at Chelsea’s defence, imperiously holding off Terry at one point and then demanding a save from Petr Cech. Hulk’s threat became so substantial that Essien foolishly dived in on Porto’s No 12, earning a caution.
Some of Porto’s slick, counter-attacking football left Chelsea groggy. Brazil’s Hulk buzzed around, Colombia’s Fredy Guarin kept raiding through the middle, even heading just over, while Uruguay’s Fucile charged forward from right-back, keeping Ashley Cole on his toes. At times, it seemed like half of Latin America was rolling towards Cech’s box.
Fucile also showed Porto’s defensive resilience, sliding in to dispossess Kalou with only Helton exposed just before the break. No matter, Anelka soon struck. The lead seized, Chelsea should really have doubled their advantage 10 minutes later. When Ivanovic cut the ball back, the unmarked Kalou directed his header too close to Helton who saved.
Porto’s coach, Jesualdo Ferreira, introduced a famous name, Falcao, through the middle, pushing Hulk out to the left where he began to send beads of sweat mixing with the rain on Ivanovic’s forehead. Bustling into Chelsea’s area, Hulk was denied only by a skilled piece of defending by Carvalho, the former Porto player reading the danger well, timing his interception to perfection.
Down the other end, Silvestre Varela slid in athletically to take the ball off Ashley Cole’s toes. The game was opening up, both defences becoming stretched. If Kalou had showed an element of calm, he could have settled this game midway through the second half, ending the growing anxiety. With 15 minutes remaining, Ancelotti acted, removing Kalou, sending on Juliano Belletti to stiffen midfield. The move resembled a declaration by Chelsea’s coach, the Italian clearly wanting to close the game down.
But Porto really went for it, pouring in orange waves towards Cech. Hulk cut in again from the left and sent the ball into the side-netting. Carvalho slid in to nick the ball away from the flying feet of Varela. Guarin shot goalwards but Cech saved. But Carvalho and Ashley Cole stood firm. In clearing one attack, Cole was clattered by Fernando, whose second yellow of the night brought expulsion.
Next up for Chelsea is Apoel away, followed by tricky home-and-away tests against Atletico Madrid, then a trip to Porto before finishing with Apoel at the Bridge. Chelsea will surely qualify but they need Drogba back, the striker returning in Madrid, and must avoid surrendering the ball so easily.
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Independent:
Anelka fires but Chelsea miss Drogba
Chelsea 1 Porto 0
By Sam Wallace at Stamford Bridge
Didier Drogba shook the hands of a few supporters at the final whistle and took his leave down the tunnel – which was a good deal more dignified than his last Champions League exit on this ground. The first big game without Drogba had been negotiated by Chelsea but no one needed telling twice that this team is not the same without him.
The winning goal was scored by Nicolas Anelka, a delicate chipped finish after his initial, fiercely-hit shot had been saved. For that moment alone the finesse in front of goal that comes as standard with Drogba was replicated but there were too many times when the decisive touch of the big man from the Ivory Coast was badly missed.
That was why there was a frantic defensive action from Chelsea as Porto tried their luck in the last 10 minutes when really Carlo Ancelotti's team should have been comfortably home and dry. Dry was not really the word on a night when west London was deluged with a downpour so relentless that at times Chelsea's stars passed the ball as if they were wearing the wrong boots on a devilishly slick surface.
A couple of miles north at Loftus Road, Queen's Park Rangers' game against Crystal Palace was called off because of a waterlogged pitch and the rain made no distinction between the Championship and the Champions League. The conditions did not make it any easier for Chelsea, they were not at their most fluent in their first group game but they got the job done. Drogba will miss the next two Champions League fixtures against APOEL and Atletico Madrid through suspension for his outburst against Barcelona in May, but it will be his absence for the African Cup of Nations in the new year that will hurt as well. Anelka is not a bad replacement but on nights such as these Chelsea really miss a centre-forward capable of putting the finishing touches to periods of dominance.
It is the first small step on the long Champions League journey that Chelsea have embarked upon in the previous six years in pursuit of the one trophy that Roman Abramovich's money has not been able to buy. They look no less equipped to win it than usual. You just have to wonder where the goals would come from if the team was to lose Anelka as well as Drogba.
As Porto pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages of the match, their midfielder Fernando was sent off for a dismal tackle on Ashley Cole that earned him a second booking. His was not the worst challenge of the night – that dishonour belonged to the Porto right-back Fucile whose two-footed lunge on Florent Malouda was so full-blooded that you shudder to think of the damage had he made contact.
This Porto team bears no resemblance to the side that won the 2004 Champions League with Jose Mourinho. In fact, as Ricardo Carvalho, who played in that team, pointed out before the game, there are more veterans of that 2004 side at Chelsea than there are at Porto. Like most summers, the Portuguese club have had to sell this year but they are wily campaigners at this level and they kept Chelsea out in the first half.
There was one iffy moment for Petr Cech in the first half when a shot from Porto's Brazilian striker Hulk – Givanildo Vieira de Souza if you want to be polite – looked so unpredictable that the goalkeeper saved with his knees. Chelsea created plenty of chances. A header from Frank Lampard stood out. When they were on their game, Chelsea weaved some beautiful moves down the left wing, most notably an interchange between Malouda and Lampard that presented Anelka with a chance that he hit straight at Helton. Salomon Kalou might have done better – Drogba surely would – when Lampard chested a ball in to his stride.
As Chelsea do when the game appears to be slipping away from them, they scored. Three minutes after half-time, Kalou flicked the ball on to Anelka whose first shot was saved by Helton. When the rebound came back, the striker chipped his shot beautifully inside the near post.
It was hard on Helton, who had done more than any other in the Porto team to keep his team in the game but Chelsea should have scored many more. Their was an invitation to score a second 10 minutes later when Branislav Ivanovic's cross found Kalou unmarked and his header forced another great save from Helton.
There was no run-out for Joe Cole, on the substitutes' bench for the first time since he ruptured his cruciate ligaments in January, but he did get an exceptionally warm welcome from the Chelsea fans. He looked over longingly at Ancelotti as the clock ran down. This has to be the toughest midfield in the Premier League to break into, especially with Malouda on such good form.
Porto's best chance was a volley that Silvestre Varela struck into the ground and forced a good save out of Cech before Fernando was sent off. It was strangely tense at the end but it often is when you fail to take your chances.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Essien; Kalou (Belletti, 77), Ballack, Lampard, Malouda; Anelka. Substitutes not used: Turnbull (gk), J Cole, Sturridge, Hutchinson, Bruma, Borini.
Porto (4-3-3): Helton; Fucile, Rolando, B Alves, Pereira; Guarin, Fernando, Meireles; Gonzalez (Falcao, 54), Hulk, Rodriguez (Varela, 64). Substitutes not used: Nuno (gk), Belluschi, Maicon, Costa, Sapunaru.
Referee: K Plautz (Austria).
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Guardian:
Nicolas Anelka gives Chelsea winning start against Porto
Chelsea 1 Anelka 48 FC Porto 0
Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge
Carlo Ancelotti, to his regret, cannot shake off his image as the impresario of the Champions League. This awkward match at least supplied him with more evidence that the tournament is full of strain and doubt, no matter who happens to be in the dug-out.
As he so often did in the past with Milan, Ancelotti simply achieved the desired result. He was not much of an orchestrator and the match approached its end with Petr Cech pulling off a good save from the substitute Silvestre Varela. Porto did not look wholly discouraged until the midfielder Fernando was sent off, for a second yellow card, in stoppage time.
Credit is due the visitors, but they were seldom forced to panic. Didier Drogba, suspended for his outburst after last season's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, was badly missed. It is no surprise that Chelsea should pine for a man who spreads terror so liberally.
Victory was achieved, in any case, with a good goal from another striker, Nicolas Anelka. This opening to Group D felt as if it belonged to a far more advanced date in the Champions League calendar. Domestic matches in this stadium seldom keep Cech so occupied.
John Terry also had to make decisive challenges. That was a reflection of the shaky display that Chelsea gave. Passes went awry and the fragmented showing left many gaps for Porto to explore. Joe Cole, who has not played since January, is over his knee surgery and returned to the bench here, but any notion that he could have an outing had to be shelved.
This fixture was no place for a convalescent. The adjustment Ancelotti did make was to remove the attacker Salomon Kalou and introduce the more conservative Juliano Belletti. By then, Kalou had made his mark by putting Anelka through in the 48th minute. Helton saved the first effort but could not prevent the Frenchman from finding the net from an angle with the rebound.
The goal had come in a spell where Chelsea raised the tempo while also distributing the ball with some care. Their difficulties may have had their origins in the enterprise of Porto. When Jesualdo Ferreira's side came to London a year ago, they were routed 4-0 by Arsenal, but considerable improvement followed.
Last night the team reminded you that they had run Manchester United very close in last season's quarter-final, when it took a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo at Estadio do Dragao to win the match. It would be pleasing to think that a side from Portugal could once more hold its own against clubs from wealthier nations. Atlético Madrid's goalless draw at home to Apoel Nicosia will have heartened them.
Porto, after four successive domestic titles, ought to have faith in themselves, but they were still prudent. Four of their new signings were named purely as substitutes, despite the fact that the Colombian striker Falcao had found his goal-scoring rhythm in the Portuguese League.
Ferreira's team did have a settled air and there was enterprise as well. They were ready to search for goal and Cech had to save well from Hulk early in the match. The striker has an unpredictability about him as well a sense of purpose. Terry had trouble containing him, but the centre-half may also have been affected by a first-half collision that left him dazed.
Ancelotti was right in his prediction that Porto would seek to attack whenever possible. There was a balance to the game. Although Chelsea did have a desire to assert themselves, they could not lay siege for long because Porto continually took their opportunities to break.
When the moments of crisis did come in the first half, the visitors reacted well. Helton coped with efforts by Frank Lampard and there was a decisive tackle from Fucile on Kalou when it looked as if he would burst through on goal.
Chelsea found the match taxing enough for Michael Essien and Florent Malouda both to be booked early on. Essien had not seemed particularly suited to the holding role in midfield, even though his sheer physical presence ought to be a deterrent. Porto were full of hope and confidence.
Considering the absence of several experienced Chelsea players, it was no surprise to see an unchanged line-up emerge after the interval, but there was a new focus and a spurt of energy. Porto, in any case, were not allowed to regroup before Anelka had landed the critical blow.
Chelsea, with the advantage of the goal, could make this a more conservative display. Ferreira's introduction of two substitutes, including the predator Falcao, by the 64th minute confirmed that he was obliged to reshape his approach. A lapse in the Chelsea back four did give Falcao scope on the edge of the area but his attempt ran straight to Cech.
If there had been neutrals present, some members of the crowd would have been enjoying themselves. As it was, this match must have had an uncomfortable grip on Chelsea fans.
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Mail:
Chelsea 1 Porto 0: Nicolas Anelka's the top dog in the absence of Didier Drogba
By Matt Lawton
Before Chelsea set their sights on the Champions League final Carlo Ancelotti has identified as the minimum requirement for this season, they need to remember how long and potentially perilous a road it is to Madrid.
They made hard work of the first of their first-round encounters, underestimating a Porto team that made it an anxious opening European night for Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge.
In the end they got there, and it is a measure of their sheer quality, solidity, professionalism and, in the case of John Terry, heroism after withstanding an elbow in the face that they did.
After what must have been something of a dressing-down from Ancelotti during the interval, Nicolas Anelka took little more than three minutes to score what amounted to an excellent winning goal.
But for the opening 45 minutes and the concluding 20, Porto demonstrated how they gave Manchester United a run for their money last season and reminded Chelsea just how much they can struggle without the suspended Didier Drogba.
Anelka might find such an assessment rather unfair when his finish was as good as it was, but Drogba is to Chelsea what Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres are to their respective clubs and success is unlikely to come for Ancelotti in the absence of the Ivory Coast striker. Especially when the Italian might not be able to sign a replacement until January 2011.
It is with some relief that Ancelotti will, no doubt, reflect on this game, not least because of the price his more recent predecessors have had to pay for early-season mediocrity in the Champions League.
A draw with Rosenborg and a crushing defeat in Rome certainly proved costly for Jose Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari.
A master of European football, Ancelotti made sure there would be no such repeat on this occasion and for a decent spell after the break Chelsea were much more like the side that have made a perfect start to their Barclays Premier League campaign with five straight wins.
This amounted to the continuation of another impressive run. The 19th consecutive European tie at Stamford Bridge without defeat. But they should have won it more comfortably than they did, given the amount of possession they enjoyed.
It is only when you see Chelsea like this, though, that one realises exactly the role Drogba performs.Not just the prolific scorer of often spectacular goals but a forward around whom the other attacking players dovetail to such good effect.
Drogba is the oil in the machine as well as Chelsea’s most devastating weapon, andsomeone they would have badly missed had they allowed him to leave during the last two summers. Given the threat of this FIFA transfer ban, it is enough to give Ancelotti nightmares.
Porto almost gave him one or two as well on Tuesday night, most memorably in the form of the opportunities Hulk and Freddy Guarin would have converted had it not been for an excellent performance from Petr Cech.
Too often Chelsea conceded possession cheaply and it was only because of their goalkeeper that they kept their noses in front. Porto unleashed 17 shots. Far toomany for a former coach of AC Milan whose Champions League success was built asmuch on defensive discipline as flair and invention going forward.
The conditions might have contributed to Chelsea’s problems but Porto seemed to cope well enough in the rain with some fluent passing football.
Incredible is not a word one could normally associate with this particular Hulk but he was certainly impressive here, as much with his dribbling and passing as a blistering shot that forced Cech to make a desperate save with his knees.
Frank Lampard also looked sharp, a shot from distance and a header from close range demanding that Helton make two terrific saves. But it was Porto who probably went closest to breaking the first-half deadlock, Guarin powering in a header that skimmed the roof of the net.
That Anelka scored so soon after the break was tough on Porto. That the Frenchman did it the hard way must have made it all the more painful.
Helton had done so well to parry Anelka’s first effort but the Chelsea striker somehow struck a second with a shot that had to clear a sliding defender before squeezing between Porto’s goalkeeper and his left-hand post.
For Porto, however, time enough remained to hit back and how close they went topunishing Chelsea for squandering what chances they created for the remainder of atense contest. Salomon Kalou was chief among the offenders.
Had it not been for Cech, Guarin and Silvestre Varela would have been celebrating amuch-deserved equaliser. But Cech did his job and when Fernando was then sent off for a second yellow card — for a nasty challenge on the excellent Ashley Cole — Porto’s challenge died.
For Ancelotti, it meant a sixth consecutive victory as the new manager of Chelsea. As good a start as it gets.
But if he is glad to have Joe Cole back in his squad, he will be even more relieved when Drogba has finally served his suspension.
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Sun:
Chelsea 1 Porto 0
By IAN McGARRY
NICOLAS ANELKA'S winner meant Carlo Ancelotti was left with something to smile about last night.
But Ancelotti knows only too well there is a fine line between success and failure in the Champions League.
Witness the 2005 final when his AC Milan side were three up against Liverpool at half-time before losing on penalties.
So if he thought managing Chelsea in the competition was going to be any different, then last night burst that bubble.
Chelsea, of all teams, have a habit of making it hard for themselves in the competition coveted more than any other by Roman Abramovich.
They have made four semi-finals and one final in the last five years and have still to be crowned champions.
A lot of the shortcomings which have dogged the Blues in Europe in recent years were evident here against Porto.
Gone was the cock-sure confidence which has seen them bulldoze their way to five wins in five in the Premier League.
In its place was a much more stuttering performance where mistakes almost cost them. But their indomitable spirit was enough to see them through.
Well, that and an exquisite finish from Anelka who chose to first miss the easy chance and then score with a chip from an angle.
It was a fitting response to the absence of the suspended Didier Drogba and one which drew a sigh of relief from Ancelotti on the bench.
The Italian was bullish enough in the build-up to this match - proclaiming he had a squad good enough to qualify without the services of the banned Drogba and Jose Bosingwa.
For long periods of this contest, that statement looked more than optimistic as Chelsea laboured in the pouring rain.
You would think the September showers would have suited the home side much better but in the opening exchanges it was the Blues who were slipping up.
Porto forward Hulk tried his best to fire a shot in anger.
A long-range effort had Petr Cech squirming in the conditions but he did enough to block Hulk's blow.
In response, Chelsea were weak as milk. Salomon Kalou and Anelka barely showed any teeth never mind bite up front.
Their best chance came when Branislav Ivanovic's cross was met by Frank Lampard but his header was well saved by Helton.
During the patchy periods of play, the most consistent factor was the downpour.
Cech was caught in the floodlights as a cross came in and Fredy Guarin rose above Hulk to head powerfully towards goal. The Blues keeper, who conceded an awful goal at Stoke on Saturday, watched in gratitude as the ball floated over.
Ancelotti is a coach renowned for his patience so there was no surprise the same players returned for the second half.
And he was rewarded with a goal in the 48th minute.
Kalou, who improved as the game went on, first collected and then seemed to lose control of a long pass through the middle.
It did not matter as he was given the chance to stab a short pass into Anelka who had already run off his marker.
The French ace should have buried it first time. But, after Helton saved, he clipped it into the net at the second offering. Ancelotti celebrated like a man who had been freed from prison - perhaps a hint of the pressure he is under to deliver in his first season at the Bridge.
Lifted by the lead, Chelsea started to play with more freedom.
Ivanovic's cross was met brilliantly by Kalou but Helton stuck out a strong hand to deny the striker.
Signs of a Chelsea charge were there - but they did not shut the door on Porto.
And the Blues almost paid for it as they needed Cech to save from Silvestre Varela.
The Portuguese visitors finished the night with 10 men as Fernando saw red for a second bookable offence.
So Chelsea won the battle - but the march to Madrid and the Champions League final looks to be as hard as ever.
Nicolas Anelka’s strike gives Chelsea laboured victoryChelsea 1 Porto 0
Oliver Kay, Football Correspondent
Roman Abramovich has another holy grail to obsess him after a week in which he was forced to abandon a planned ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. Back at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s latest crusade in the Champions League began with the first faltering steps on the long road to the final in Madrid next May.
Faltering? Only in the sense that their performance dipped in the final half-hour, after Nicolas Anelka had put them ahead. But Carlo Ancelotti, understandably, was content with a sixth victory in as many games in charge of Chelsea, a result that heightened the perception that his team, even when playing below their best, will be a force to be reckoned with once more this season.
Given that Chelsea routinely sail through group stages, victory in their opening game is no basis on which to judge Ancelotti, but the former AC Milan coach is entitled to a share of the credit for the way in which his team overcame a talented Porto side. Their progress was never entirely convincing, but the breakthrough, three minutes into the second half, came when Anelka was sent clear of the Porto defence by the persistence of Salomon Kalou, who had been pushed farther forward by his Italian coach as part of a tactical reshuffle at the interval.
As such, it would seem trite to pick holes in Chelsea’s performance. Yes, they missed Didier Drogba, starting a three-game suspension for his outburst at the referee after his team missed out on last season’s final in agonising circumstances against Barcelona in May, and yes, they could have been punished for the way they retreated in the closing stages, whether out of caution or fatigue, but Porto are a strong team who impressed in drawing 2-2 at Old Trafford in the quarter-final, first leg last season. Not until Fernando was sent off in the third minute of stoppage time, for a second bookable offence, did they accept that this would not be their night.
In that sense, this was probably the toughest match Chelsea have faced under Ancelotti. Porto are the antithesis of Stoke City, who were defeated on Saturday by a stoppage-time goal from Florent Malouda, but they are not a team to be taken lightly.
Nor are they a soft touch, as John Terry will testify, having been knocked out cold at one point in the first half by an elbow from Bruno Alves and been given an extensive examination in defence by Hulk, the 23-year-old Brazilian forward whose dubious moniker should become better known in the coming years.
One hundred and thirty-two days had passed since Andrés Iniesta plunged a dagger into Chelsea hearts with the stoppage-time goal that sent Barcelona to the final and sparked the furious reaction, led by Drogba, at Tom Henning Ovrebo, the Norwegian referee.
The pain from that elimination cannot be said to have healed and, as a series of half-chances went begging in the first half last night and a succession of menacing crosses from Branislav Ivanovic went unrewarded, the hangover seemed destined to drag on.
Relief came three minutes into the second half when Kalou, taking up a more central position, forced the ball through to Anelka. The France forward’s first attempt was saved by Helton, the Porto goalkeeper, but he was quickest to the loose ball, which he dispatched into the top corner, prompting Ancelotti to smile for the first time all evening.
Kalou had two headed chances to extend Chelsea’s lead, the first sent wide from Ashley Cole’s cross and the second saved by Helton after Ivanovic attacked down the opposite flank. But from that moment on, Porto took the initiative and Joe Cole, back on the Chelsea bench for the first time since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in January, when Luiz Felipe Scolari was in the dugout, must have sensed that he would have to wait a little longer for his comeback.
With nine minutes remaining, Álvaro Pereira got behind Ivanovic and crossed to the edge of the penalty area, where Silvestre Varela, with a downward volley, forced Petr Cech into an awkward, scrambling save. In stoppage time, Pereira crossed again and this time Falcao, diving to reach the ball six yards out, narrowly missed making a connection.
That was as good as it got for Porto. Within 30 seconds, Fernando, the central defender, had been sent off and Chelsea, finally, could relax. Their latest ascent is off to a successful start, but, as Abramovich will know, it is a long way to the summit.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): P Cech — B Ivanovic, R Carvalho, J Terry, A Cole — M Ballack, M Essien — S Kalou (sub: J Belletti, 77min), F Lampard, F Malouda — N Anelka. Substitutes not used: R Turnbull, S Hutchinson, J Bruma, J Cole, D Sturridge, F Borini. Booked: Essien, Malouda.
Porto (4-3-3): Helton — Fucile, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Álvaro Pereira — F Guarín, Fernando, Raul Meireles — M González (sub: Falcao, 54), Hulk, C Rodríguez (sub: S Varela, 64). Substitutes not used: Nuno, Maicon, C Sapunaru, F Belluschi, T Costa. Sent off: Fernando. Booked: Fernando, Rolando.
Referee: K Plautz (Austria).
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Telegraph:
Chelsea 1 Porto 0:
By Henry Winter at Stamford Bridge
Totally in keeping with the monsoon conditions, Chelsea made heavy weather of defeating Porto on Tuesday night. Nicolas Anelka steadied local nerves, scoring a wonderful winner just after the break, but this was hardly the regal first stride down the road to Madrid expected under Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian has been brought in by Chelsea’s owner, Roman Abramovich, to get the bridesmaids of the Champions League to the altar and they need to move more confidently up the aisle than this. Occasionally wasteful in possession, occasionally far too narrow, Chelsea were unimpressive, under siege for periods and ultimately reliant on the defensive excellence of Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole in particular to see them to safety.
The midfield balance was not right. Michael Essien is a dynamic presence, driving forward from the deep but he lacks the Claude Makélélé traits of sitting and holding, breaking up opposition moves and calmly transferring the ball to the likes of Frank Lampard. Essien also charged upfield, running into space that is usually such fertile ground for Lampard.
But never mind the quality, feel the quantity of points collected and Chelsea can also take heart from the welcome sight of Joe Cole on the bench, following his long absence with a knee injury. In mitigation, Chelsea can also point to the absence of the suspended Didier Drogba, whose battering-ram strength would have brought more pressure on a Porto defence ably organised by Bruno Alves, one of Europe’s most accomplished centre-halves.
Yet Anelka made his mark, settling the game three minutes into the second half. Salomon Kalou appeared to have miscontrolled the ball yet managed to squeeze it through the middle into the path of Anelka, who had timed his run well, staying just onside. Porto’s keeper, Helton, saved well but was caught out by Anelka’s brilliant follow-up, the ball swept between the Brazilian and his left-hand upright.
Chelsea hardly deserved the lead. During the first half, Ancelotti’s side endured awkward times, their composure not helped by a tactical system that meant the wide players, Kalou and Florent Malouda tucked inside. Chelsea sought width from Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic and both full-backs produced a few crosses. Lampard did meet one Ivanovic delivery with a powerful header punched away by Helton.
Chelsea suffered a nervy moment on their next visit to Helton’s area. Rising for the ball, John Terry took a forearm in the face from Bruno Alves and fell to the sodden earth, lying immobile for a worrying minute. Natural gladiator that he is, Terry soon recovered, waving away the stretcher, hobbling to the touchline before resuming his battle with Hulk.
Porto’s deft centre-forward kept running strongly at Chelsea’s defence, imperiously holding off Terry at one point and then demanding a save from Petr Cech. Hulk’s threat became so substantial that Essien foolishly dived in on Porto’s No 12, earning a caution.
Some of Porto’s slick, counter-attacking football left Chelsea groggy. Brazil’s Hulk buzzed around, Colombia’s Fredy Guarin kept raiding through the middle, even heading just over, while Uruguay’s Fucile charged forward from right-back, keeping Ashley Cole on his toes. At times, it seemed like half of Latin America was rolling towards Cech’s box.
Fucile also showed Porto’s defensive resilience, sliding in to dispossess Kalou with only Helton exposed just before the break. No matter, Anelka soon struck. The lead seized, Chelsea should really have doubled their advantage 10 minutes later. When Ivanovic cut the ball back, the unmarked Kalou directed his header too close to Helton who saved.
Porto’s coach, Jesualdo Ferreira, introduced a famous name, Falcao, through the middle, pushing Hulk out to the left where he began to send beads of sweat mixing with the rain on Ivanovic’s forehead. Bustling into Chelsea’s area, Hulk was denied only by a skilled piece of defending by Carvalho, the former Porto player reading the danger well, timing his interception to perfection.
Down the other end, Silvestre Varela slid in athletically to take the ball off Ashley Cole’s toes. The game was opening up, both defences becoming stretched. If Kalou had showed an element of calm, he could have settled this game midway through the second half, ending the growing anxiety. With 15 minutes remaining, Ancelotti acted, removing Kalou, sending on Juliano Belletti to stiffen midfield. The move resembled a declaration by Chelsea’s coach, the Italian clearly wanting to close the game down.
But Porto really went for it, pouring in orange waves towards Cech. Hulk cut in again from the left and sent the ball into the side-netting. Carvalho slid in to nick the ball away from the flying feet of Varela. Guarin shot goalwards but Cech saved. But Carvalho and Ashley Cole stood firm. In clearing one attack, Cole was clattered by Fernando, whose second yellow of the night brought expulsion.
Next up for Chelsea is Apoel away, followed by tricky home-and-away tests against Atletico Madrid, then a trip to Porto before finishing with Apoel at the Bridge. Chelsea will surely qualify but they need Drogba back, the striker returning in Madrid, and must avoid surrendering the ball so easily.
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Independent:
Anelka fires but Chelsea miss Drogba
Chelsea 1 Porto 0
By Sam Wallace at Stamford Bridge
Didier Drogba shook the hands of a few supporters at the final whistle and took his leave down the tunnel – which was a good deal more dignified than his last Champions League exit on this ground. The first big game without Drogba had been negotiated by Chelsea but no one needed telling twice that this team is not the same without him.
The winning goal was scored by Nicolas Anelka, a delicate chipped finish after his initial, fiercely-hit shot had been saved. For that moment alone the finesse in front of goal that comes as standard with Drogba was replicated but there were too many times when the decisive touch of the big man from the Ivory Coast was badly missed.
That was why there was a frantic defensive action from Chelsea as Porto tried their luck in the last 10 minutes when really Carlo Ancelotti's team should have been comfortably home and dry. Dry was not really the word on a night when west London was deluged with a downpour so relentless that at times Chelsea's stars passed the ball as if they were wearing the wrong boots on a devilishly slick surface.
A couple of miles north at Loftus Road, Queen's Park Rangers' game against Crystal Palace was called off because of a waterlogged pitch and the rain made no distinction between the Championship and the Champions League. The conditions did not make it any easier for Chelsea, they were not at their most fluent in their first group game but they got the job done. Drogba will miss the next two Champions League fixtures against APOEL and Atletico Madrid through suspension for his outburst against Barcelona in May, but it will be his absence for the African Cup of Nations in the new year that will hurt as well. Anelka is not a bad replacement but on nights such as these Chelsea really miss a centre-forward capable of putting the finishing touches to periods of dominance.
It is the first small step on the long Champions League journey that Chelsea have embarked upon in the previous six years in pursuit of the one trophy that Roman Abramovich's money has not been able to buy. They look no less equipped to win it than usual. You just have to wonder where the goals would come from if the team was to lose Anelka as well as Drogba.
As Porto pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages of the match, their midfielder Fernando was sent off for a dismal tackle on Ashley Cole that earned him a second booking. His was not the worst challenge of the night – that dishonour belonged to the Porto right-back Fucile whose two-footed lunge on Florent Malouda was so full-blooded that you shudder to think of the damage had he made contact.
This Porto team bears no resemblance to the side that won the 2004 Champions League with Jose Mourinho. In fact, as Ricardo Carvalho, who played in that team, pointed out before the game, there are more veterans of that 2004 side at Chelsea than there are at Porto. Like most summers, the Portuguese club have had to sell this year but they are wily campaigners at this level and they kept Chelsea out in the first half.
There was one iffy moment for Petr Cech in the first half when a shot from Porto's Brazilian striker Hulk – Givanildo Vieira de Souza if you want to be polite – looked so unpredictable that the goalkeeper saved with his knees. Chelsea created plenty of chances. A header from Frank Lampard stood out. When they were on their game, Chelsea weaved some beautiful moves down the left wing, most notably an interchange between Malouda and Lampard that presented Anelka with a chance that he hit straight at Helton. Salomon Kalou might have done better – Drogba surely would – when Lampard chested a ball in to his stride.
As Chelsea do when the game appears to be slipping away from them, they scored. Three minutes after half-time, Kalou flicked the ball on to Anelka whose first shot was saved by Helton. When the rebound came back, the striker chipped his shot beautifully inside the near post.
It was hard on Helton, who had done more than any other in the Porto team to keep his team in the game but Chelsea should have scored many more. Their was an invitation to score a second 10 minutes later when Branislav Ivanovic's cross found Kalou unmarked and his header forced another great save from Helton.
There was no run-out for Joe Cole, on the substitutes' bench for the first time since he ruptured his cruciate ligaments in January, but he did get an exceptionally warm welcome from the Chelsea fans. He looked over longingly at Ancelotti as the clock ran down. This has to be the toughest midfield in the Premier League to break into, especially with Malouda on such good form.
Porto's best chance was a volley that Silvestre Varela struck into the ground and forced a good save out of Cech before Fernando was sent off. It was strangely tense at the end but it often is when you fail to take your chances.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Essien; Kalou (Belletti, 77), Ballack, Lampard, Malouda; Anelka. Substitutes not used: Turnbull (gk), J Cole, Sturridge, Hutchinson, Bruma, Borini.
Porto (4-3-3): Helton; Fucile, Rolando, B Alves, Pereira; Guarin, Fernando, Meireles; Gonzalez (Falcao, 54), Hulk, Rodriguez (Varela, 64). Substitutes not used: Nuno (gk), Belluschi, Maicon, Costa, Sapunaru.
Referee: K Plautz (Austria).
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Guardian:
Nicolas Anelka gives Chelsea winning start against Porto
Chelsea 1 Anelka 48 FC Porto 0
Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge
Carlo Ancelotti, to his regret, cannot shake off his image as the impresario of the Champions League. This awkward match at least supplied him with more evidence that the tournament is full of strain and doubt, no matter who happens to be in the dug-out.
As he so often did in the past with Milan, Ancelotti simply achieved the desired result. He was not much of an orchestrator and the match approached its end with Petr Cech pulling off a good save from the substitute Silvestre Varela. Porto did not look wholly discouraged until the midfielder Fernando was sent off, for a second yellow card, in stoppage time.
Credit is due the visitors, but they were seldom forced to panic. Didier Drogba, suspended for his outburst after last season's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, was badly missed. It is no surprise that Chelsea should pine for a man who spreads terror so liberally.
Victory was achieved, in any case, with a good goal from another striker, Nicolas Anelka. This opening to Group D felt as if it belonged to a far more advanced date in the Champions League calendar. Domestic matches in this stadium seldom keep Cech so occupied.
John Terry also had to make decisive challenges. That was a reflection of the shaky display that Chelsea gave. Passes went awry and the fragmented showing left many gaps for Porto to explore. Joe Cole, who has not played since January, is over his knee surgery and returned to the bench here, but any notion that he could have an outing had to be shelved.
This fixture was no place for a convalescent. The adjustment Ancelotti did make was to remove the attacker Salomon Kalou and introduce the more conservative Juliano Belletti. By then, Kalou had made his mark by putting Anelka through in the 48th minute. Helton saved the first effort but could not prevent the Frenchman from finding the net from an angle with the rebound.
The goal had come in a spell where Chelsea raised the tempo while also distributing the ball with some care. Their difficulties may have had their origins in the enterprise of Porto. When Jesualdo Ferreira's side came to London a year ago, they were routed 4-0 by Arsenal, but considerable improvement followed.
Last night the team reminded you that they had run Manchester United very close in last season's quarter-final, when it took a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo at Estadio do Dragao to win the match. It would be pleasing to think that a side from Portugal could once more hold its own against clubs from wealthier nations. Atlético Madrid's goalless draw at home to Apoel Nicosia will have heartened them.
Porto, after four successive domestic titles, ought to have faith in themselves, but they were still prudent. Four of their new signings were named purely as substitutes, despite the fact that the Colombian striker Falcao had found his goal-scoring rhythm in the Portuguese League.
Ferreira's team did have a settled air and there was enterprise as well. They were ready to search for goal and Cech had to save well from Hulk early in the match. The striker has an unpredictability about him as well a sense of purpose. Terry had trouble containing him, but the centre-half may also have been affected by a first-half collision that left him dazed.
Ancelotti was right in his prediction that Porto would seek to attack whenever possible. There was a balance to the game. Although Chelsea did have a desire to assert themselves, they could not lay siege for long because Porto continually took their opportunities to break.
When the moments of crisis did come in the first half, the visitors reacted well. Helton coped with efforts by Frank Lampard and there was a decisive tackle from Fucile on Kalou when it looked as if he would burst through on goal.
Chelsea found the match taxing enough for Michael Essien and Florent Malouda both to be booked early on. Essien had not seemed particularly suited to the holding role in midfield, even though his sheer physical presence ought to be a deterrent. Porto were full of hope and confidence.
Considering the absence of several experienced Chelsea players, it was no surprise to see an unchanged line-up emerge after the interval, but there was a new focus and a spurt of energy. Porto, in any case, were not allowed to regroup before Anelka had landed the critical blow.
Chelsea, with the advantage of the goal, could make this a more conservative display. Ferreira's introduction of two substitutes, including the predator Falcao, by the 64th minute confirmed that he was obliged to reshape his approach. A lapse in the Chelsea back four did give Falcao scope on the edge of the area but his attempt ran straight to Cech.
If there had been neutrals present, some members of the crowd would have been enjoying themselves. As it was, this match must have had an uncomfortable grip on Chelsea fans.
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Mail:
Chelsea 1 Porto 0: Nicolas Anelka's the top dog in the absence of Didier Drogba
By Matt Lawton
Before Chelsea set their sights on the Champions League final Carlo Ancelotti has identified as the minimum requirement for this season, they need to remember how long and potentially perilous a road it is to Madrid.
They made hard work of the first of their first-round encounters, underestimating a Porto team that made it an anxious opening European night for Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge.
In the end they got there, and it is a measure of their sheer quality, solidity, professionalism and, in the case of John Terry, heroism after withstanding an elbow in the face that they did.
After what must have been something of a dressing-down from Ancelotti during the interval, Nicolas Anelka took little more than three minutes to score what amounted to an excellent winning goal.
But for the opening 45 minutes and the concluding 20, Porto demonstrated how they gave Manchester United a run for their money last season and reminded Chelsea just how much they can struggle without the suspended Didier Drogba.
Anelka might find such an assessment rather unfair when his finish was as good as it was, but Drogba is to Chelsea what Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres are to their respective clubs and success is unlikely to come for Ancelotti in the absence of the Ivory Coast striker. Especially when the Italian might not be able to sign a replacement until January 2011.
It is with some relief that Ancelotti will, no doubt, reflect on this game, not least because of the price his more recent predecessors have had to pay for early-season mediocrity in the Champions League.
A draw with Rosenborg and a crushing defeat in Rome certainly proved costly for Jose Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari.
A master of European football, Ancelotti made sure there would be no such repeat on this occasion and for a decent spell after the break Chelsea were much more like the side that have made a perfect start to their Barclays Premier League campaign with five straight wins.
This amounted to the continuation of another impressive run. The 19th consecutive European tie at Stamford Bridge without defeat. But they should have won it more comfortably than they did, given the amount of possession they enjoyed.
It is only when you see Chelsea like this, though, that one realises exactly the role Drogba performs.Not just the prolific scorer of often spectacular goals but a forward around whom the other attacking players dovetail to such good effect.
Drogba is the oil in the machine as well as Chelsea’s most devastating weapon, andsomeone they would have badly missed had they allowed him to leave during the last two summers. Given the threat of this FIFA transfer ban, it is enough to give Ancelotti nightmares.
Porto almost gave him one or two as well on Tuesday night, most memorably in the form of the opportunities Hulk and Freddy Guarin would have converted had it not been for an excellent performance from Petr Cech.
Too often Chelsea conceded possession cheaply and it was only because of their goalkeeper that they kept their noses in front. Porto unleashed 17 shots. Far toomany for a former coach of AC Milan whose Champions League success was built asmuch on defensive discipline as flair and invention going forward.
The conditions might have contributed to Chelsea’s problems but Porto seemed to cope well enough in the rain with some fluent passing football.
Incredible is not a word one could normally associate with this particular Hulk but he was certainly impressive here, as much with his dribbling and passing as a blistering shot that forced Cech to make a desperate save with his knees.
Frank Lampard also looked sharp, a shot from distance and a header from close range demanding that Helton make two terrific saves. But it was Porto who probably went closest to breaking the first-half deadlock, Guarin powering in a header that skimmed the roof of the net.
That Anelka scored so soon after the break was tough on Porto. That the Frenchman did it the hard way must have made it all the more painful.
Helton had done so well to parry Anelka’s first effort but the Chelsea striker somehow struck a second with a shot that had to clear a sliding defender before squeezing between Porto’s goalkeeper and his left-hand post.
For Porto, however, time enough remained to hit back and how close they went topunishing Chelsea for squandering what chances they created for the remainder of atense contest. Salomon Kalou was chief among the offenders.
Had it not been for Cech, Guarin and Silvestre Varela would have been celebrating amuch-deserved equaliser. But Cech did his job and when Fernando was then sent off for a second yellow card — for a nasty challenge on the excellent Ashley Cole — Porto’s challenge died.
For Ancelotti, it meant a sixth consecutive victory as the new manager of Chelsea. As good a start as it gets.
But if he is glad to have Joe Cole back in his squad, he will be even more relieved when Drogba has finally served his suspension.
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Sun:
Chelsea 1 Porto 0
By IAN McGARRY
NICOLAS ANELKA'S winner meant Carlo Ancelotti was left with something to smile about last night.
But Ancelotti knows only too well there is a fine line between success and failure in the Champions League.
Witness the 2005 final when his AC Milan side were three up against Liverpool at half-time before losing on penalties.
So if he thought managing Chelsea in the competition was going to be any different, then last night burst that bubble.
Chelsea, of all teams, have a habit of making it hard for themselves in the competition coveted more than any other by Roman Abramovich.
They have made four semi-finals and one final in the last five years and have still to be crowned champions.
A lot of the shortcomings which have dogged the Blues in Europe in recent years were evident here against Porto.
Gone was the cock-sure confidence which has seen them bulldoze their way to five wins in five in the Premier League.
In its place was a much more stuttering performance where mistakes almost cost them. But their indomitable spirit was enough to see them through.
Well, that and an exquisite finish from Anelka who chose to first miss the easy chance and then score with a chip from an angle.
It was a fitting response to the absence of the suspended Didier Drogba and one which drew a sigh of relief from Ancelotti on the bench.
The Italian was bullish enough in the build-up to this match - proclaiming he had a squad good enough to qualify without the services of the banned Drogba and Jose Bosingwa.
For long periods of this contest, that statement looked more than optimistic as Chelsea laboured in the pouring rain.
You would think the September showers would have suited the home side much better but in the opening exchanges it was the Blues who were slipping up.
Porto forward Hulk tried his best to fire a shot in anger.
A long-range effort had Petr Cech squirming in the conditions but he did enough to block Hulk's blow.
In response, Chelsea were weak as milk. Salomon Kalou and Anelka barely showed any teeth never mind bite up front.
Their best chance came when Branislav Ivanovic's cross was met by Frank Lampard but his header was well saved by Helton.
During the patchy periods of play, the most consistent factor was the downpour.
Cech was caught in the floodlights as a cross came in and Fredy Guarin rose above Hulk to head powerfully towards goal. The Blues keeper, who conceded an awful goal at Stoke on Saturday, watched in gratitude as the ball floated over.
Ancelotti is a coach renowned for his patience so there was no surprise the same players returned for the second half.
And he was rewarded with a goal in the 48th minute.
Kalou, who improved as the game went on, first collected and then seemed to lose control of a long pass through the middle.
It did not matter as he was given the chance to stab a short pass into Anelka who had already run off his marker.
The French ace should have buried it first time. But, after Helton saved, he clipped it into the net at the second offering. Ancelotti celebrated like a man who had been freed from prison - perhaps a hint of the pressure he is under to deliver in his first season at the Bridge.
Lifted by the lead, Chelsea started to play with more freedom.
Ivanovic's cross was met brilliantly by Kalou but Helton stuck out a strong hand to deny the striker.
Signs of a Chelsea charge were there - but they did not shut the door on Porto.
And the Blues almost paid for it as they needed Cech to save from Silvestre Varela.
The Portuguese visitors finished the night with 10 men as Fernando saw red for a second bookable offence.
So Chelsea won the battle - but the march to Madrid and the Champions League final looks to be as hard as ever.
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