Sporting Lisbon 0–1 Chelsea

A dominant Chelsea only just managed to take the three points home from Lisbon, in a night characterised by wastefulness in front of goal and some incredible keeping.

Sporting goalie Rui Patricio was congratulated by Jose Mourinho on full time, as he kept out almost all efforts – only Nemanja Matic's headed winner blotting his copy book.

Those chances came thick and fast from first to last.A great early chance fell to Diego Costa, selected in spite of concerns about his hamstring, and on a great run of goalscoring form. The Spaniard broke from an Oscar pass and charged down the keeper – shooting right at Patricio.

Clash: Sporting Lisbon's Maurício and Chelsea's Diego Costa

If that counted as a wasted effort, it was nothing compared to Andre Schurrle's effort in 23 minutes. Having been beautifully set up by a Hazard run down the right and cut back, the unmarked World Cup winner thumped it wide of an easy target – before falling to his knees, head in hands.

Chelsea could, and should, have been coasting. But Schurrle, as well as having a nightmare going forward, was letting through Sporting on his wing to have one or two chances of their own.

The deadlock was broken on 33 minutes.A foul by Andre Carrillo on Hazard resulted in a free kick – taken by Cesc Fabregas with his now expected accuracy .He found the rising Matic, bigger than most even when on his knees, and was headed past Patricio.

Fist pump: Jose Mourinho at the end of the match

The second half brought a similar story. Schurrle again looked lacklustre in front of goal, and an Oscar one-on-one with Patricio – expertly set-up by Filipe Luis – was cannoned straight against the keeper.

Just after the hour another such chance was gifted to Chelsea – though this time it was not their own wastefulness that saw it go begging.Costa broke from halfway, and the only thing between him and Patricio was Sporting defender Mauricio. The Brazilian chose the foolhardy option of attempting to bring down the charging forward – and ended up being stretched off in a pool of blood, with a yellow card for his efforts.

There was time for another pair of Patricio blocks – one denying Costa, that other keeping out a late effort from substitute Mohamed Salah. But in the end it was Chelsea whose resolve just about held out – despite a last gasp surge by their hosts. A draw between Maribor and Schalke sees Blues go clear at the top of the group – which is exactly where they will feel they should be.