Mount’s 8/10 performance leads Chelsea past Porto and nears the spot in the Champions League semi-finals

Chelsea will return to London with two away goals on Wednesday after beating FC Porto in the Champions League 2-0 quarter-final.

Mason Mount scored the first goal of the night with a sensational turn and low drive after a concise pass from Jorginho. Ben Chilwell Then he rounded up the goalkeeper to tap an empty net five minutes from time to score his first goal in the competition and give Chelsea a huge advantage in the middle of the tie.

The Blues were second best for much of the game, however, as Porto enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and had more scoring opportunities. Pepe Edouard Mendy forced a clever parade Mateus Uribe flew over the top of the net with a volley. In the second half, Moussa Marega saw an angled effort blocked by Mendy while Luis Diaz threatened with a slight effort that flashed just past the post.

Porto was compact and patient with no ball and difficult to break for Chelsea. In attack they were dangerous due to set pieces and their one-touch game for the box caused problems. In contrast, the Blues seemed more or less accidentally conceding a goal, but crucially, they were clinical in the final third, if that mattered.

positive

Although the game was played in a neutral location due to travel restrictions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a classic away performance from Chelsea. They had to endure attacks of pressure, but they used their chance well to overcome the impasse. The Blues are only the third team to score against Porto in the Champions League this season.

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Negatives

Chelsea were second after set pieces and crosses, which will be a concern of Thomas Tuchel.

Manager rating of 10

7 – Chelsea were lucky enough to save a goal but Tuchel made it harder to beat them. He identified that Kai Havertz– –Timo Werner The offensive partnership did not work and rightly replaced it.

player Ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players who were introduced after 70 minutes are not rated)

GK Edouard Mendy, 8 – Mendy was vigilant to keep a swinging corner away from Porto and he had to save well on his left to refuse a Pepe header. After the break, he successfully narrowed the angle to block Marega. He has now conceded seven goals in eight Champions League games this season.

DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 5 – The skipper made a great block to deny a certain tied attempt just before the break and had a good chance of scoring with a header but overall had a tough evening.

DF Andreas Christensen, 6 – The center-back returned to the side, constantly looking for the cross-field ball Reece Jamesbut it tended to overheat. Other than that, he read the game brilliantly throughout.

DF Antonio Rudiger, 6 – Like Christensen, Rüdiger looked for the cross-field ball, but for Chilwell, and he had little success with it. Defensively, Chelsea have been beaten in the air too often, especially in set pieces, but Rüdiger made some important interventions.

MF Reece James, 8 – This was another impressive night for James, who not only had several acres on the right but also refused to let anything pass him.

MF Jorginho, 6 –The Italy international had a disappointing game, struggling to keep Porto in check, although it represented a pivotal moment when his inch-perfect assistant found Mount for the first goal.

MF Mateo Kovacic, 7 – In his 50th Champions League game, he tried to take advantage of Porto’s high line with a series of passes over the top into the channels, but it wasn’t an effective strategy. The Kovacic-Jorginho pivot was at times the second best.

MF Ben Chilwell, 7 – Chilwell was firmly in his back and wanted to go forward. He was trying to stretch a compact postage center. He was pressured by several players and always seemed to find a way out. He hit his target well and his goal could be decisive in the draw.

FW Mason Mount, 8 – Opened the classification with an excellent finish. He turned around sensationally at his first touch and then hit the ball over the goalkeeper in the farthest corner.

FW Kai Havertz, 4 – The German striker seemed unsure of his role and wasn’t sure if he was playing as a striker or as a No. 10. He had a great chance to score after an hour and despite being marked offside, he still missed.

FW Timo Werner, 6 – After a quiet first half, in which he had only a few touches, he almost doubled his lead after the break when his header ended just above the crossbar. Worked tirelessly but had little to show for his endeavors.

replacement

FW Christian Pulisic, 6 – Showed good skills when he came on and kept the property in a small space. Then he hit the bar before Chelsea added a second.

FW Olivier Giroud, 6 – The French world champion won the move alongside Kovacic, who hit the bar with Pulisic, and Chelsea looked stronger with his lead.

MF N’Golo Kante, NO – Edge brought fresh energy into the game and was everywhere at the same time as Chelsea’s midfield looked more solid. His death was unpredictable at times, but his addition was very positive.

DF Thiago Silva, NO – The former Paris Saint-Germain captain didn’t seem too busy but his presence coincided with the fact that Chelsea looked a lot more comfortable across the board.

MF Emerson, NO – Got through in stoppage time with little chance of getting involved.