Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic fired away a first-half header to help his side edge out Sporting Lisbon 1-0 and advance to the top of Champions League Group G.
Brimming with pace and purpose, Chelsea almost took the lead inside two minutes when striker Diego Costa raced clear but Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio smothered his effort.
German winger Andre Schurrle wasted several openings before Matic rose to loop a Cesc Fabregas free-kick over Patricio. Sporting improved after the break but Chelsea held on for an important win, The BBC reported.
Without Patricio's heroics and their own wasteful finishing, Chelsea could easily have won by a more convincing margin. But boss Jose Mourinho, whose side were held 1-1 at home by Schalke in their first group game, would be delighted to have picked up three points against a team that were unbeaten in 16 home matches in European competition.
Chelsea would have found the lead in the second minute when Costa received Fabregas's threaded pass but the Spaniard's low shot was saved by Patricio with his legs. The Sporting stopper was on hand again to smother Schurrle's close-range effort after Oscar had located another gap in the Portuguese side defence.
Schurrle had an even better chance moments later when Costa's cut-back teed him up in front of goal, but the Germany international dragged his shot wastefully wide.
Chelsea's pressure finally told when they took the lead from a set piece. Fabregas's delivery from the left found an unmarked Matic at the far post and the midfielder planted a header over Patricio.
Sporting were more energetic in the second half with Nani to the fore. The Manchester United loanee hammered one long-range effort wide and fired another into the side-netting.
Mourinho said that this is not knockout where goals are fundamental, adding that this is points. He said that they lost two points at home and recovered that.
The City boss said that they play two games against Maribor and if they manage six points, that would be 10 and job done.
Sporting manager Marco Silva said that they must not forget the merit of the opponent, adding that his side didn't start in a strong manner, but the match balanced out.
Silva said that ultimately it was a great show and his side was able to entertain their fans, adding that he thinks they went home content.
