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Champions League - Quarter-finals - 1st Leg
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Porto 0-2 Chelsea: Mason Mount scores his first Champions League goal

By Neil JohnstonBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments869

Mason Mount celebrates scoring Chelsea against Porto in the Champions League
Mason Mount scored with Chelsea's first attempt on target for his maiden Champions League goal

Chelsea bounced back from a testing few days to earn a commanding first-leg quarter-final away win over Porto in the Champions League.

Mason Mount's clever turn and finish in the first half helped bring some welcome relief to Blues manager Thomas Tuchel after his side's heavy defeat to West Brom on Saturday, which was followed by a training ground incident between team-mates Kepa Arrizabalaga and Antonio Rudiger.

Ben Chilwell added a late second after a mistake by Corona, moments after substitute Christian Pulisic had hit the bar.

Having conceded five goals against West Brom, Chelsea produced a dogged defensive performance to earn a seventh clean sheet in nine European games this season.

Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta's vital block denied Corona before Edouard Mendy kept out Pepe's header.

With both legs of this tie in Spain at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium because of coronavirus travel restrictions between Portugal and the UK, this was Porto's 'home' game, meaning Chelsea's two away goals put them in pole position before next Tuesday's second leg.

Resilient Chelsea show grit

This was the perfect response by Chelsea after last weekend's embarrassment - a resilient, determined and professional performance against a team that had eliminated Juventus in the previous round.

Tuchel reacted to the West Brom shambles by making five changes, with Rudiger among those recalled despite his 'heated' row with Arrizabalaga.

Rudiger played his part in an impressive Chelsea rearguard display, Porto carving out several chances without managing to find a way through.

Ben Chilwell scores for Chelsea against Porto in the Champions League
Ben Chilwell scored his first goal since 7 November 2020

Mendy used his legs to keep out Moussa Marega while Luis Diaz, who scored against Manchester City in the group stage, went close from outside the penalty area.

At the other end, Timo Werner and Azpilicueta missed headed chances to extend the lead after Mount scored before Chilwell's crucial second - a composed finish after bursting into the penalty area and taking it past the keeper - gave his side a handsome win.

Mount impresses again

Mount continues to flourish, his goal the highlight in what was for long spells a closely-fought contest.

Having received a pass from Jorginho following a patient build-up, the midfielder turned sharply and beat Agustin Marchesin with an instinctive low finish from an angle.

Mount has scored more goals in all competitions than any other Chelsea player since Tuchel was appointed in January.

In 2020-21, he has found the net for club and country in the Premier League, Nations League, FA Cup, World Cup qualifying and now Champions League.

Having dropped out of the top four, Chelsea will hope this result can propel them to a strong finish to the season.

The winners of this tie face Real Madrid or Liverpool in the semi-finals - Real lead 3-1 after the first leg - and the Blues also have an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on 17 April.

Tuchel praises Mount's 'quality' but admits Chelsea needed a bit of luck

Mendy's impressive clean sheet record - the stats

  • Having won at Atletico Madrid in February, Chelsea have won consecutive away knockout games in the Champions League for the first time since April 2004 under Claudio Ranieri.
  • No side has conceded fewer goals (2) or kept more clean sheets (7) in this season's Champions League than Chelsea (level with Man City on both counts).
  • Since Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge of Chelsea in January, no goalkeeper playing for a top five European league side has kept more clean sheets in all competitions than Edouard Mendy (10).
  • For the first time since March 2012 against Napoli (John Terry & Frank Lampard), Chelsea have had two different English players score for them in the same Champions League match (Mason Mount & Ben Chilwell).
  • Porto defender Pepe (38 years 40 days) became the oldest outfield player to appear in a Champions League quarter-final since Manchester United's Ryan Giggs (40 years 123 days) back in April 2014.

What's next?

Chelsea have a London derby at Crystal Palace on Saturday (17:30 BST) to negotiate before the return leg with Porto next Tuesday (20:00).

Line-ups

FC Porto

Formation 4-5-1

  • 1Marchesín
  • 18Manafá JancóSubstituted forConceiçãoat 83'minutes
  • 19MbembaBooked at 63mins
  • 3Pepe
  • 12Sanusi
  • 17JM Corona
  • 8Uribe
  • 16GrujicBooked at 79mins
  • 25OtávioSubstituted forVieiraat 83'minutes
  • 7Díaz
  • 11MaregaSubstituted forMartínezat 83'minutes

Substitutes

  • 4Monteiro Pinto Leite
  • 6Loum
  • 14Morais Ramos
  • 21Silva Baró
  • 23Neto Lopes
  • 28Felipe Anderson
  • 29Martínez
  • 30de Lima Barbosa
  • 31Chipela Gomes
  • 32Sarr
  • 50Vieira
  • 85Conceição

Chelsea

Formation 3-4-2-1

  • 16Mendy
  • 28Azpilicueta
  • 4Christensen
  • 2Rüdiger
  • 24JamesSubstituted forThiago Silvaat 80'minutes
  • 5Jorginho
  • 17KovacicSubstituted forEmersonat 90+2'minutes
  • 21Chilwell
  • 19MountSubstituted forKantéat 80'minutes
  • 11WernerSubstituted forPulisicat 65'minutes
  • 29HavertzSubstituted forGiroudat 65'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Arrizabalaga
  • 3Alonso
  • 6Thiago Silva
  • 7Kanté
  • 9Abraham
  • 10Pulisic
  • 13Caballero
  • 15Zouma
  • 18Giroud
  • 20Hudson-Odoi
  • 22Ziyech
  • 33Emerson
Referee:
Slavko Vincic

Match Stats

Home TeamFC PortoAway TeamChelsea
Possession
Home40%
Away60%
Shots
Home12
Away6
Shots on Target
Home5
Away3
Corners
Home9
Away4
Fouls
Home11
Away17

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, FC Porto 0, Chelsea 2.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, FC Porto 0, Chelsea 2.

  3. Post update

    Offside, FC Porto. Fábio Vieira tries a through ball, but Chancel Mbemba is caught offside.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Andreas Christensen (Chelsea).

  5. Post update

    Luis Díaz (FC Porto) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  6. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. Emerson replaces Mateo Kovacic.

  7. Goal!

    Goal! FC Porto 0, Chelsea 2. Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner.

  8. Post update

    Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the right side of the box. Assisted by Mateo Kovacic with a through ball.

  9. Substitution

    Substitution, FC Porto. Fábio Vieira replaces Otávio.

  10. Substitution

    Substitution, FC Porto. Toni Martínez replaces Moussa Marega.

  11. Substitution

    Substitution, FC Porto. Francisco Conceição replaces Wilson Manafá.

  12. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. Thiago Silva replaces Reece James.

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. N'Golo Kanté replaces Mason Mount.

  14. Booking

    Marko Grujic (FC Porto) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  15. Post update

    Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Marko Grujic (FC Porto).

  17. Post update

    Foul by Ben Chilwell (Chelsea).

  18. Post update

    Corona (FC Porto) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Post update

    Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  20. Post update

    Foul by Mateus Uribe (FC Porto).

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869 comments

  • Comment posted by adam, at 21:59 7 Apr 2021

    Porto players go in aggressively in challenges and then fall over when the slightest breeze hits them

    • Reply posted by Have a nice day, at 22:01 7 Apr 2021

      Have a nice day replied:
      That's foreign teams for you!

  • Comment posted by Matthew White , at 22:05 7 Apr 2021

    Not a Chelsea fan but a professional performance & the debate on Arnold & James
    Well judging by the last couple of nights James for me

    • Reply posted by Markymark, at 22:08 7 Apr 2021

      Markymark replied:
      James,Walker, trippier, all capable of forward and defensive play, TAA never a capable defender

  • Comment posted by Adam Raggett, at 21:56 7 Apr 2021

    Mason Mount proving once again he’s the first name on the Chelsea and England teamsheet

    • Reply posted by Simple Simon Met A Pieman, at 22:03 7 Apr 2021

      Simple Simon Met A Pieman replied:
      After Foden

  • Comment posted by Have a nice day, at 21:59 7 Apr 2021

    Great to see an English side on the up in Europe.

    Tuchel seems to be doing something right at the moment too, well done Chelsea!

  • Comment posted by kbcfc1965, at 21:56 7 Apr 2021

    Surely FC Porto need a good dietician..They clearly fall over when breathed on.

    • Reply posted by Oahu, at 22:27 7 Apr 2021

      Oahu replied:
      Could have been the pregame garlic chips Chelsea were seen eating...

  • Comment posted by stevieshoes, at 21:55 7 Apr 2021

    Chelsea record away in the CL incredible

    • Reply posted by Simple Simon Met A Pieman, at 22:10 7 Apr 2021

      Simple Simon Met A Pieman replied:
      Home or away, it's the same thing nowadays.

  • Comment posted by CWBA2017, at 22:04 7 Apr 2021

    Don't EVER discount Chelsea. After the knives were drawn, they did what they're capable of doing to ANY team. They'll be a few, less critical opinions tonight.

    • Reply posted by kopite1892, at 22:17 7 Apr 2021

      kopite1892 replied:
      good result tonight looks like madrid in semi unless

  • Comment posted by Dutch, at 22:01 7 Apr 2021

    Congrats Chelsea. Not a sparkling game but a solid game.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 22:37 7 Apr 2021

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      That’ll do me at 2-0. Have to say though, Mount is now becoming a master of the turn. That was a worldy

  • Comment posted by Geoff, at 22:26 7 Apr 2021

    Chelsea played very well,a real threat in CL.But once again Chelsea and Man City will have the money myth thrown at them.When infact 17 Premier League Clubs have billionaire owners.Its just that those 2 clubs have upset what was considered to be the "natural order" of things.Liverpool and Man Utd out spent everyone else for years.But things have changed and they don't like it.

    • Reply posted by Oddbod, at 22:37 7 Apr 2021

      Oddbod replied:
      Unbelievable Geoff

  • Comment posted by Inthepot, at 22:00 7 Apr 2021

    That actually wasn’t agony to watch, relatively comfortable for the blues. Tie only half done but looking good.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 22:34 7 Apr 2021

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      Exactly! Job half done at best. Chelsea looked more decisive in defence and should keep it that way. This team is only coming together. No point being loose and fancy free and thinking about semis.

  • Comment posted by awjfk, at 22:12 7 Apr 2021

    Good result for Chelsea, Mount has come on in leaps and bounds since his loan spell.
    All credit to Lampard.

    • Reply posted by tea bar, at 22:17 7 Apr 2021

      tea bar replied:
      spot on Awjfk

  • Comment posted by Blue view, at 21:55 7 Apr 2021

    Excellent result, good way to come back after the disaster on Saturday.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 17:23 8 Apr 2021

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      I think the contrast in results was down to the starting 11, which is probably close to our best with the exception of Kante and Pulisic. I feel Jorghino might be replaced by Rice next season to solidify that deep lying area. Chelsea selling Bakayoko, Tomori, Barkley, Emerson and probably Jorghino will easily be able to afford him with change and have Abraham to offer on top.

  • Comment posted by mark, at 21:56 7 Apr 2021

    I love the Champions League but my God it is so nerve-wracking ! After losing 2-5 at home to West Brom i feared the worst here.

    • Reply posted by tea bar, at 22:15 7 Apr 2021

      tea bar replied:
      Know what you mean Mark but keep the faith

  • Comment posted by BlueGuy, at 22:12 7 Apr 2021

    Great result eventually but this team does nothing for my blood pressure. Only felt better when Tuchel finally got Werner and Havertz off and Kante and Giroud on. They have to start next week. Need a target man up front and control in midfield.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 22:46 7 Apr 2021

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      Might be an idea to start pulisic and Kante instead to use a high press and still keep a goal threat with Mount.

  • Comment posted by HarryJsAllstar, at 21:55 7 Apr 2021

    Chelsea did not play ‘well’ but they scored twice, could have had three, and did not look like conceding.
    Porto were very good, but spoiled it with so much play-acting.

    • Reply posted by ChelseaLakers, at 22:33 7 Apr 2021

      ChelseaLakers replied:
      What the heck happened to the style and panache displayed against Atleti.

  • Comment posted by t1realism, at 21:57 7 Apr 2021

    Chelsea were unbelieveable they have huge chance of UCL title

    • Reply posted by bushwacker, at 22:45 7 Apr 2021

      bushwacker replied:
      Admire your humour.

  • Comment posted by WhathaveTottenhamwon, at 21:55 7 Apr 2021

    Excellent match from the Blues. Obviously the real test comes in that second 90 when Porto are back at full strength, but there are worse positions to be in going in to a second leg.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 22:40 7 Apr 2021

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      Very true! Hopefully, Kante and Pulisic will be fully match fit. No disrespect to Porto but as organised as they are they carry far less goal threat than anyone else in the competition.

  • Comment posted by Socrates1982, at 22:39 7 Apr 2021

    Not a Chelsea fan but I always like to see British teams do well in European football tournaments. Outplayed Porto and thoroughly deserved the win. Only half time but looks good for the semi finals for the blues 👌🤙

    • Reply posted by pc blue, at 22:42 7 Apr 2021

      pc blue replied:
      "English" teams???

  • Comment posted by Christopher L, at 21:56 7 Apr 2021

    European Masterclass 💙💙

    • Reply posted by bushwacker, at 22:46 7 Apr 2021

      bushwacker replied:
      By WBA?

  • Comment posted by Avi, at 21:54 7 Apr 2021

    Well played Chelsea 👌 good performance from the lads away from home.

    • Reply posted by Wengerout, at 22:53 7 Apr 2021

      Wengerout replied:
      So next week will you be home or away? Rather a pointless comment.