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Chelsea logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 10, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Sporting Lisbon

3-1

Fabregas (8' pen.), Schurrle (16'), Obi Mikel (56')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Silva (50')

Player Ratings: Chelsea 3-1 Sporting Lisbon

Sports Mole looks back at who impressed during the Champions League group-stage encounter between Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea rounded off their Champions League group-stage campaign with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon at Stamford Bridge this evening.

The Blues, who had already secured top spot in Group G prior to this game, were ahead after just eight minutes when Cesc Fabregas converted from the penalty spot following a challenge on Filipe Luis inside the area.

Andre Schurrle added a second shortly after, although Jonathan Silva's strike five minutes after the restart gave the Lions real hope of claiming something from the contest.

It was not to be in the end, though, with John Obi Mikel bagging a rare goal to secure the points and end Sporting's adventure in this competition at the same time.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look back at who impressed across the 90 minutes of action in West London.


Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea scores the openiung goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League group G match between Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon on December 10, 2014© Getty Images

CHELSEA

Goal

Petr Cech: Hardly had a lot to do in what was his third appearance between the sticks in the Champions League this season, although when he was called into action he often denied the opposition. (6/10)

Defence

Cesar Azpilicueta: Loves bombing forward down the right and helped create a couple of decent opportunities for his side, including one for Schurrle with an inviting cross which Patricio did well to keep out. (7/10)

Gary Cahill: Showed just how committed he is to the cause when diving in the way of Silva's shot late on which prevented Sporting from adding a second to their tally. Led by example with Zouma alongside him, while claiming an assist at the same time. (7/10)

Kurt Zouma: Given a chance to start in the heart of Chelsea's defence with John Terry being rested for this one, and he more than held his own when clearing some dangerous crosses into the box. (7/10)

Filipe Luis: The former Atletico Madrid full-back was given a torrid evening by Carrillo, who created all sorts of trouble down his flank. Was also outjumped inside the box by Slimani on one occasion, although in his defence he did win his side a penalty which allowed the Premier League leaders to make an early breakthrough. (5/10)

Midfield

John Obi Mikel: Not only did he add his name to the scoresheet for the first time since January, but he also looked far more positive when in possession. Knocked a few balls over the top for Salah and Costa, as well as providing simpler passes to more advanced teammates. (8/10)

Nemanja Matic: Rather uncharacteristically gave the ball away a couple of times in the first half, and should have buried the chance which fell his way. That aside, though, the Serbia international stuck to his task by helping to break up attacks while at the same time feeding Fabregas - best epitomised on the brink of half time during a strong Chelsea counter which should have resulted in a goal. (7/10)

Mohamed Salah: Given a rare chance to impress from the off this evening, Salah was heavily involved throughout his time on the pitch, without making any sort of waves. Forced Patricio into making one big save in particular, but still perhaps more to come from him. (6/10)

Cesc Fabregas: Fielded in a more advanced midfield position tonight, Fabregas was his usual creative self, linking up well with Costa on a couple of occasions. Added his name to the scoresheet, too, which is always a nice added bonus. (7/10)

Andre Schurrle: Very lively in the first half, and managed to score a fine individual goal which would have caught the attention of Jose Mourinho. Not as involved following the restart, but he can be happy with his showing nonetheless. (8/10)

Attack

Diego Costa: Looked well off the pace in the opening 30 minutes, before dropping deeper and working the channels to see more of the ball. Certainly improved, as highlighted by his control to take Fabregas's ball over the top into his stride, yet he is still not at his early-season levels. (6/10)

Substitutes

Ramires: Introduced for final 20 minutes, in which time the game had lost any sort of momentum. (6/10)

Loic Remy: Provided a different sort of option as a player who likes to roam around, but was not really given the time to make any impact in attack. (6/10)

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: A big moment for the 18-year-old who came on for his Blues' debut late on. Showed great desire to win the ball in midfield in the closing stages before charging forward and subsequently being brought down. One for the future. (7/10)


Sporting's head coach Marco Silva looks on before the UEFA Champions League Group G football match Sporting CP vs Chelsea FC at Alvalade XXI stadium in Lisbon on September 30, 2014© Getty Images

SPORTING LISBON

Goal

Rui Patricio: Was beaten three times on the night and could have perhaps done a little more to push away Schurrle's strike which ended in the bottom corner. The Portuguese stopper did produce a couple of decent stops, though. (6/10)

Defence

Jonathan Silva: Certainly not afraid to shoot, showing great composure to tuck away his chance after the hosts failed to deal with a cross into the box to pull one back for his side. (7/10)

Paulo Oliveira: Made a couple of memorable blocks but will be disappointed to have conceded three times this evening, even if it was against the competition's top scorers to date. (6/10)

Mauricio: Did brilliantly to head behind Salah's cross which was heading right to Costa at the end of the first half. Perhaps could have done more to close down Schurrle for the home side's second goal. (6/10)

Ricardo Esgaio: One of six Sporting academy graduates to start this one, the youngster rather sloppily gave away an early penalty for needless challenge on Luis, which got Mourinho's charges up and running. (5/10)

Midfield

Andre Carrillo: Arguably the best man on the field who caused real problems for Chelsea throughout. Gave Luis in particular a torrid time, while also switching flanks and creating numerous opportunities, once of which was tucked away. (8/10)

Joao Mario: Did not do a great deal to influence the game from deep before being withdrawn 20 minutes from time for more attack-minded option. (6/10)

William Carvalho: It is easy to see why he is so in demand right now, with manager Marco Silva revealing this week that "numerous offers" had been made for the defensive midfielder, although his performance levels are not quite at the same level as they were last term. (6/10)

Adrien Silva: Another who could not do a great deal to influence play, particularly in the second half when the visitors seemed to run out of ideas. (5/10)

Diego Capel: An out-and-out winger who was recalled to the starting lineup this evening, Capel was given plenty of space in the opening stages before fading and being withdrawn. (6/10)

Attack

Slimani: The striker is certainly in form having scored six goals in his last eight starts, but the closest he came to extending that impressive record came in the second half when forcing Cech into making a fine save right on his line. Also turned provider when he fizzed in a delightful cross shortly after, although none of his teammates could capitalise. (7/10)

Substitutes

Andre Martins: Could not pull his side back into the game during his 20 minutes on the field. (6/10)

Fredy Montero: Brought on with 30 minutes to play to add a more attacking threat, Montero's game was summed up when he lofted the ball into the grateful hands of Cech while teammates awaited a pass on either side of him. (5/10)

Carlos Mane: The final 25 minutes or so proved to be frustrating for Sporting as the game just faded away, with Mane unable to do anything to arrest that scenario. (6/10)


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Chelsea's German striker Andre Schurrle celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League group G football match at Stamford Bridge in London on December 10, 2014
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Match Analysis: Chelsea 3-1 Sporting Lisbon
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