What a chance for Brahimi! A curling cross penetrates the penalty area and finds the aforementioned Algerian, who immediately unleashes an excellent volley that flies past Courtois before missing the far post by the narrowest of margins. What a great goal that would have been!
90' +1
Chance for Remy! Pedro breaks down the left flank on a great run before finding the aforementioned Frenchman with a well-placed bouncing pass. The striker controls it well and breaks to the edge of the box before unleashing a strike, but it's poorly hit and flies well wide of its intended target.
90'
L. Rémy enters the game and replaces E. Hazard.
Remy comes on to replace Hazard for the final few moments of the game.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
88'
Porto have reverted to holding onto possession inside the Chelsea half of the pitch, but with three goals needed to make it to the knockout stage, the looks on their faces shows that they know that their chance has gone. As a result, they are aimlessly passing the ball around as the clock runs down.
86'
M. Obi enters the game and replaces Diego Costa.
The home fans show their appreciation to Costa as he makes way for Mikel.
85'
Chelsea are comfortably moving the ball around inside the Porto half of the pitch, and the home fans sound delighted with what they're seeing. They're just five minutes away from reaching the knockout stage of the competition, and Porto are looking increasingly bereft of ideas whenever they're on the ball.
83'
Porto work the ball around wonderfully well on the edge of the penalty area before Corona tries to penetrate the box with a deft through-ball, but just at the vital moment it's cut out by a great interception from Zouma, who has been excellent tonight.
81'
Pedro enters the game and replaces Oscar.
And now Hazard goes close! The Belgian shows great skill to break into the left-hand side of the box before unleashing a low shot that beats Casillas before ricocheting off the near post, onto the back of the Porto goalkeeper, and out for a Chelsea corner.
Oscar receives a rousing round of applause from the Chelsea fans as he's replaced by Pedro for the final nine minutes.
80'
Costa is presented with a great chance to score, but he fluffs it! The Spaniard breaks forward on a powerful as he tries to latch onto a loose ball, but his first touch is poor and sends it bouncing into the hands of Casillas. He really should have done better with that...
78'
Tello goes close! The Spaniard cuts inside from the right wing and unleashes a wonderfully low shot that looks destined for the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, but Courtois is just about able to tip it past the post with an excellent diving save.
Minute
Description
77'
Corona picks up the ball on the edge of the penalty and spins quickly before trying to beat Zouma, but the youngster does incredibly well to shrug off the Mexican before earning Chelsea a free kick after being pulled back by his opponent.
75'
Layun tries to catch out Courtois with an audacious strike from the resulting set-piece, but the goalkeeper reads it well and comfortably deals with the Mexican's shot.
74'
B. Ivanović gets yellow.
Ivanovic is wrong-footed by Corona and brings the Mexican crashing to the ground with a clumsy challenge, resulting in a yellow card for the full-back and a free kick for Porto on the left wing.
73'
Ivanovic breaks down the right flank on a great run before swinging a dangerous cross into the heart of the penalty area, but Costa is nowhere to be seen and the pass ends up bouncing just past Hazard at the back post and out for a goal kick.
72'
Hazard holds up the ball well near the byline inside the Porto penalty area before before sending the ball back to Willian. The Brazilian then spots a great run from Oscar and finds him with a deft through-ball, but the latter's back-heeled strike is well stopped by Casillas at the near post.
71'
Cristian Tello enters the game and replaces H. Herrera.
Porto have made their final substitution, with Herrera making way for Tello.
70'
What a chance for Costa! Chelsea break away on an incredibly quick counter-attack, with Hazard playing a particularly important role in the move. He spins and tees up the aforementioned Spaniard, who then flies towards the edge of the penalty area before looking to shoot, but just as he's about to do so Danilo gets back and muscles him off the ball at the vital moment.
68'
Porto are continuing to boss possession as they desperately try to find a way back into the game, but they're looking increaingly bereft of ideas whenever they're able to penetrate the final third of the pitch.
66'
Ramires picks up the ball in space in the middle of the pitch and immediately charges forward and into the Porto half, but he's quickly fouled near to the halfway line, resulting in a free kick with which they unsurprisingly take their time.
64'
Brahimi goes close! Corona whips in a lovely cross from the right wing that finds the aforementioned Algerian on the left-hand side of the Chelsea penalty area. He quickly cuts onto his right foot before unleashing a thumping strike that Ivanovic is just about able to get a head on to send it marginally wide of the far post.
62'
Big chance for Chelsea to make it 3-0! The hosts immediately break away on a quick counter-attack, with Willian breaking forward before teeing up Hazard. The Belgian spins and quickly tries to find the Brazilian once again, but his lofted pass is slightly overhit and can only reach Casillas, who rushes out to the edge of his box.
61'
Brahimi is tripped over by Ivanovic as the two battle on the left flank, resulting in a free kick for Porto in a dangerous position. Layun steps up and curls a wonderful cross into the heart of the penalty area, but Courtois is just about able to punch the ball away from danger at the vital moment.
59'
Once again, Porto, who have switched to having a back four since the introduction of Aboubakar and Neves, are bossing possession in the middle of the pitch, but they are finding it difficult to do much with the ball due to strong defending by Chelsea, who are sitting deep.
57'
Rúben Neves enters the game and replaces M. Pereira.
And the second is Neves, who takes the place of Pereira.
56'
V. Aboubakar enters the game and replaces G. Imbula.
Porto have decided to make a double change, and they're both attacking alterations. The first player to come on is Aboubakar, who replaces Imbula.
Chance for Marcano! The resulting set-piece is swung towards the near post, where it finds the defender, but his close-range header ends up flying comfortably wide of the Chelsea goal.
55'
Porto decide to take the corner short and patiently work the ball around the periphery of the Chelsea penalty area. After a lengthy period, it finally finds its way to Herrera, who unleashes a low shot from 25 yards out that deflects off Matic and out for another corner.
54'
Pereira breaks down the right wing to latch onto a loose ball forward before being dispossessed by Azpilicueta, resulting in a corner for Porto.
52'
Willian has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by E. Hazard.
Assist Eden Hazard
GOAL! Chelsea have doubled their lead! Costa holds up the ball wonderfully well before teeing up Hazard, who cuts to his right and sets up Willian. The Brazilian, who is left in too much space just outside of the Porto penalty area, then breaks towards the box before unleashing a rocket of a low shot that beats Casillas before flying into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
50'
And now Corona goes close! Porto immediately break away on a quick counter-attack, with the Mexican twists and turning on the left flank before charging towards the penalty area and unleashing a fierce, 25-yard strike that flies comfortably over the top of the crossbar.
48'
Chance for Willian! Once again, Costa picks up the ball on the left wing and cuts inside before teeing up the aforementioned Brazilian. He takes a quick touch and unleashes a thumping low strike that Casillas does well to parry away with a strong diving save to his right.
47'
Costa quickly breaks down the left wing and tries to cut inside to the penalty area before being tripped over by Marcano, but the referee immediately waves for play to continue after judging that the tackle was fair.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45'
Great play by Chelsea! Oscar comfortably out-muscles Imbula in the middle of the pitch before quickly sending a pass forward that finds the feet of Costa. The striker controls the ball well and penetrates the right-hand side of the Porto penalty area before unleashing a low shot across goal, but Casillas is just about able to get a hand on the striker to tip it wide of the far post.
43'
B. Martins Indi gets yellow.
Martins Indi cynically scythes Costa to the ground from behind, leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a yellow card.
42'
Porto move the ball around well before Brahimi tries his luck from 25 yards out, but the Algerian's low strike is well saved by a strong diving stop from Courtois.
41'
Danilo Pereira gets yellow.
Costa holds up the ball well near the halfway line before being bundled over by Danilo, resulting in a free kick for Chelsea. The aforementioned Porto midfielder isn't happy with the decision and shows his displeasure by blasting the ball away in anger, resulting in him receiving a needless yellow card.
39'
Porto fly forward on a quick counter-attack, with Danilo playing an important role in the move. He then works the ball over to Layun, who immediately unleashes a cross that is completely mishit and flies out of play for a goal kick. He really should have done better with that opportunity.
37'
Again, Pereira finds himself in the thick of it as he knocks Willian in the face, resulting in another free kick for Chelsea on the left flank. It's curled towards the penalty spot but this time Martins Indi is there to deal with the danger.
35'
The resulting free kick is fired off Brahimi and out for a corner, which is easily dealt with the Porto defence after looking like it was going to land right on the head of Costa.
34'
M. Pereira gets yellow.
Oscar and Pereira clash on the left wing before they come together once again, with the Brazilian nutmegging the Uruguayan before receiving an elbow in the face, resulting in the latter being yellow carded.
32'
The resulting set-piece is flung into a dangerous in the middle of the box but it's easily dealt with by Costa before Ramires tries to kick-start a Chelsea counter-attack.
31'
N. Matić gets yellow.
Matic receives a yellow card for a foul in the build-up to Corona's chance on goal. That booking means that he will miss the first knockout stage game if Chelsea make it through.
Corona cuts inside from the right flank and weaves his way towards the edge of the Chelsea penalty area before unleashing a low strike, but it takes a deflection off Terry that sends it out for a corner.
29'
The resulting corner is flung towards the far post, where it finds the head of Ivanovic, but the right-back is unable to get high enough to send his headed towards goal.
28'
Lovely play by Chelsea! Hazard breaks forward and sends a pass into the feet of Oscar, who immediately flies towards the edge of the Porto box before playing a quick one-two with Willian. The former then unleashes a curling shot that deflets off the feet of Marcano and just wide of the far post.
26'
A Porto attacking move breaks down, allowing Chelsea to push forward on one of their own. They initially do so well before a poor pass from Ivanovic can only find the feet of Layun.
24'
Porto patiently work the ball around inside the Chelsea half of the pitch as they try to find a way through the sea of blue shirts in front of them, but the hosts are doing well to keep the determined visitors at bay with strong and well-organised defending.
22'
Hazard twists and turns near the byline on the left wing before being barged to the ground by Pereira, resulting in a free kick for Chelsea in a very dangerous position. Willian steps up and sends a great cross into the middle of the penalty area, but Maicon is just about able to thump it away before it can find a blue shirt.
20'
Diego Costa gets yellow.
It's heating up on the pitch! Casillas comfortably collects a bouncing ball forward before being cynically tripped over by Costa. The striker pleads his innocence but his national teammate isn't happy at all, and a fierce exchange of words takes place before the referee shows the Chelsea man a yellow card.
18'
Oscar screams for a penalty, but it's not given! Costa cuts inside from the left before teeing up the aforementioned Brazilian, who immediately penetrates the box before going down under a challenge from Marcano. He immediately appeals to the referee but the man in charge immediately shakes his head and waves play on.
16'
It's been a strong start to the game from both sides. Porto, understandably, are looking to get forward as quickly as possible whenever they're on the ball whilst Chelsea seem far more confident in possession than they have in recent weeks.
14'
Chelsea win the ball back and come again quickly as they look to make it 2-0. Willian tries to fire two crosses into the box but has no luck with either, before Ivanovic sends in one of his own, but it's unable to find Costa and is thumped away by Maicon.
12'
Iván Marcano is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOAL! Chelsea have taken the lead under controversial circumstances! Costa breaks through and latches onto a great through-ball from Hazard before unleashing a low shot that is sent straight at Casillas. The ball ricochets off the goalkeeper and hits the chest of Marcano before bouncing towards the line, from where Maicon seemingly stops it from finding the back of the net. However, just as Porto try to play on the referee blows his whistle and awads the goal, with the replay showing that it was indeed the right call.
11'
Layun picks up the ball on the left flank and embarks on a great run forward, but he ends up holding onto the ball for slightly too long and is dispossessed by Zouma before he can get a cross away.
9'
Porto continue to pass the ball around well inside the Chelsea half of the pitch as the hosts struggle to get near the ball. Maicon then sends a lofted pass forward that almost finds Corona, but the Mexican is penalised for a high foot that almost hits Terry in the face.
7'
Brahimi embarks on a dangerous attacking move down the right wing, using his skill to great effect before skipping past Azpilicueta. He penetrates the penalty area before unleashing a fierce cross-cum-shot that Courtois does well to palm away with a strong save.
5'
Matic muscles his way through the middle of the pitch before playing the ball out to Willian on the right flank. The Brazilian twists and turns as he tries to find a way past Layun, but the Mexican comes out on top and does well to dispossess the Chelsea winger before he can get a cross away.
3'
The resulting set-piece is curled towards the near post, but Maicon is there to rise high and head the ball away from danger.
2'
Chelsea win themselves an early free kick on the left wing, which Willian whips towards the edge of the penalty area. It isn't hit particularly well but it deflects slightly off Pereira before bouncing out of play for a corner.
1'
And we're off! Chelsea get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Porto substitutes: Helton, Neves, Evandro, Bueno, Varela, Tello, Aboubakar.
Porto XI (4-3-3): Casillas; Pereira, Marcano, Maicon, Martins Indi; Herrera, Danilo, Imbula; Corona, Brahimi, Layun.
Chelsea substitutes: Begovic, Cahill, Kenedy, Mikel, Fabregas, Pedro, Remy.
Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
With Chelsea’s struggles so clear to see, Porto head to West London full of confidence about their chances of picking up the victory that will see them progress to the knockout stage of the competition. Last month’s defeat at home to Dynamo Kiev was a disappointment but either side of that they have been in fantastic form. The loss was their first since being thrashed 6-1 by Bayern Munich in April, whilst since suffering defeat two weeks ago they have gone on to win three consecutive league games, scoring seven goals in the process.
Whilst they have had their fair share of disappointments in Europe, overall Chelsea have enjoyed a far better Champions League campaign than they have domestically. They head into their final group stage game top of Group G, although just two points separate them and third-place Dynamo Kiev, who will be looking to pick up three points against struggling Maccabi Tel Aviv this evening. With Porto sitting equal on points with the Blues, a point will be enough to see them into the last 16 of the competition, but it’s not going to be easy - Porto are the only side to beat Jose Mourinho’s men in the Champions League this season, whilst the reigning Premier League champions have lost three of their last six home games.
Just as things were starting to look better for Chelsea, they were handed the latest in what has been a series of embarrassing setbacks. This time it was lowly Bournemouth who beat the Blues on their home turf, leaving the reigning champions just two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with almost half of the season already completed. As a result, it really is crunch time for Jose Mourinho, who desperately needs a positive result against his former employers tonight, not only in order to guide his side into the knockout stage of the Champions League but also to save himself from being sacked.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Champions League group stage game between Chelsea and Porto at Stamford Bridge.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
Meanwhile, Porto boss Julen Lopetegui has made three alterations to the side that featured in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Pacos de Ferreira, with Andre Andre, Ruben Neves and Vincent Aboubakar making way for Ivan Marcano, Danilo Pereira and Giannelli Imbula.
Jose Mourinho has decided to make four changes to the Chelsea side that started last weekend’s defeat against Bournemouth, with John Terry, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ramires and Diego Costa all returning to the starting line-up to replace Gary Cahill, Baba Rahman, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro, respectively.
HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-0 PORTO
It's been a near-perfect first half for Chelsea, who are now just 45 minutes away from qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition. They have spent the majority of the opening period on the back foot but that has suited them perfectly, as they have sat deep and defended well against Porto before hitting them on the counter-attack. So far it has worked well for Jose Mourinho's men, all of whom look relieved to say the least as they head down the tunnel. However, this game is far from over...
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 2-0 PORTO
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and Chelsea have made it to the knockout stage of the Champions League! They fully deserve it too, as they did everything right this evening to see off a Porto side that lacked that cutting edge in the final third of the pitch. The Blues looked far more assured defensively whilst at the other end of the pitch Costa showed signs of him finally finding the former that characterised so many of his performances last season. Jose Mourinho will be incredibly pleased with what he saw today, filling him with hope about their chances both domestically and on the European stage.
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