A first-half strike by Nemanja Matic has given Chelsea a 1-0 lead away at Sporting Lisbon in tonight's Champions League Group G clash at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
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Jose Mourinho's charges nearly found themselves ahead within the first two minutes, as Cesc Fabregas played Diego Costa clean through.
Despite having plenty of time on the ball to contemplate his next move, the Spaniard found his shot saved by Rui Patricio.
Moments later, Gary Cahill had the chance to head Chelsea in front, but more lack of composure from the Blues saw this effort also wasted.
In the 20th minute, Sporting threatened through Islam Slimani, the Algerian slipping in between John Terry and Filipe Luis, but his subsequent header proved too weak to trouble Thibaut Courtois.
Following this effort, Chelsea resumed their onslaught on the home side's goal, as Andre Schurrle wasted a multitude of good chances midway through the first half.
Eventually, the deadlock was broken by the Blues as Matic, who previously played for Sporting's rivals Benfica, latched on to Fabregas's looping cross to head home and put his side into a deserved lead.
Giuseppe Labellarte
