10 games into the season, Chelsea have already suffered their fifth defeat.
The latest loss came in their Group G UEFA Champions League game away at FC Porto on Tuesday, as Jose Mourinho’s former team ran out deserved 2-1 winners at the Estadio do Dragao. Goals in each half from Andre Andre and Maicon did the damage, as Willian’s stunning free kick on the stroke of half time only provided brief respite for the Blues.
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The Premier League side were overrun and made multiple defensive areas as the defeat could have been greater on another dark night for Mr. Mourinho.
Chelsea started brightly in Portugal but as the first half wore on the home side came to life with Maxi Pereira driving into the box but his effort was deflected off Cesar Azpilicueta and wide.
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Aboubakar then drove in from the left flank and dribbled past three Chelsea defenders before curled his effort over, and Pereira blasted an effort well wide as the home side were on top and then they went ahead.
[ VIDEO: Willian curls in stunning free kick ]
In the 39th minute Brahimi cut in from the left and ran past Branislav Ivanovic before hammering a shot in on goal which Asmir Begovic saved brilliantly. However, the follow up fell to the onrushing Andre who slotted home to send the home fans wild. Their joy was to be shortlived, as right on the stroke of half time Ramires was chopped down on the edge of the box and from the resulting free kick, Willian curled home a beauty to make it 1-1. Question marks surrounded Iker Casillas’ positioning but Chelsea didn’t care as Mourinho refused to celebrate despite his side dragging themselves level.
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In the second half Chelsea started well as Azpilicueta and Willian combined well to set up Costa but his shot was deflected wide as he dallied on the ball. Neves then flashed a shot just wide from distance as Porto looked to gather a head of steam in the second period.
Soon the Portuguese side were back ahead as Maicon headed home superbly at the near post in the 52nd minute from a corner kick. In truth his marker Ramires could have been tighter and Begovic was beaten at his near post, but the Porto skipper showed incredible nous to flick home with his back to goal. 2-1 to Porto.
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Moments later Chelsea were nearly level as Costa curled in a sublime effort which beat Casillas but the ball crashed against the underside of the crossbar and came back out. Porto then came at Chelsea as Gary Cahill made a superb block and Chelsea’s defense had to hold firm under intense pressure with the home side searching for a third goal.
GOAL! Porto have taken a 2-1 lead vs Chelsea thanks to Maicon's header. #UCLonFOX http://t.co/nxE6Kb5QDi
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 29, 2015
Eden Hazard, who was surprisingly left on the bench, came on for the final 30 minutes and the Belgian winger immediately had a great chance as he skipped clear of Maicon but hit his shot into the side-netting. Then Porto went close on three occasions as they battered Chelsea who resembled a prize-fighter on the ropes, with Brahimi forcing Begovic into another fine save.
Ivanovic headed wide from a corner when he should have scored, then in the final 10 minutes Helio Pereira came even closer from a corner as he headed Miguel Layun’s set piece onto the far post. In the dying stages Costa raced free of Porto’s defense and as he tried to knock the ball past Marcano the Porto defender knocked the ball down with his arm. Costa remonstrated furiously with the officials but neither the official behind the goal or the referee spotted the incident and despite a late chance deflecting wide after good work from Costa, Chelsea suffered yet another defeat.