Match Summary
Chelsea returned to winning ways as they put aside Sporting Lisbon with an assured 3-1 victory.
The Blues, who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Newcastle at the weekend, had already qualified for the knock-out stages of the Champions League, but if Sporting thought they would have it easier, they would be very wrong.
No doubt fuelled by the fact Mourinho wanted a return to victories after the weekend loss, the home starting XI featured the likes of Costa, Matic and Cahill, plus you can hardly regard fringe players Cech, Schurrle and Salah as weak players.
A fast start is what Mourinho craves so that his side can dictate the game and they is exactly what they did. Felipe Luis, who was the left-back tonight for Chelsea, found himself in the box and, when bundled over, Moen was on hand to award the sport-kick. No Hazard but no problem: Fabregas tucked home.
Schurrle, with plenty of critics to prove, not least his own boss, fired home a superb second eight minutes later. The ball was caught up between his and Costa’s feet but the German squeezed a shot past Patricio into the goal, an excellent precise shot.
What should have been an easy second half had its wobbles, especially when Silva pulled a goal back to stop Chelsea in full flow. Mikel of all people tapped home from no more than one metre to give Chelsea their third.
Man of the Match
ANDRE SCHURRLE: Hasn’t had much to shout about this season and no doubt would have hoped for more after the World Cup joys. Losing his first-team place to Willian and being hit with illness will not have helped him physically but he seized the opportunity gratefully. A superb goal and was bright and energetic throughout. 8/10
Manager Reaction
Mourinho was diplomatic: “We were very focused and serious. I’m happy with that. I feel sorry for Sporting, I would have liked them to qualify. The win was important. It was a good reaction to losing at Newcastle.”