Chelsea 3-1 Sporting Lisbon as it happened

1. Watch Midweek Final Score via the play icon
2. Chelsea already through as Group G winners
3. Sporting need draw to qualify
4. Di Matteo's Schalke also in contention

Thanks for joining me on a good night for Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, Andre Schurrle, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Roberto Di Matteo's Schalke.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news through, Sporting fans.

Check out our match report here.

Manager reaction

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho joked that teenage debutant Ruben Loftus-Cheek owed him a "bottle of top red wine" for fielding him.

The manager added: "He is very confident and has a good personality. He's not afraid to take responsibilities.

"We were trying to find the best moment to give him easy conditions to play. Obviously he has a lot to improve but he has great potential if people around him don't make things difficult for me. He can be a big player."

Manager reaction

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on Sky Sports: "We were very focussed and serious. I'm happy with that. I feel sorry for Sporting, I would have liked them to qualify.

"[The win] was important. It was a good reaction to losing at Newcastle and a good chance for players to have more minutes. I'm happy with many things we did.

"We have a good squad. It was a game without pressures - it was quite an easy game to play.

"Andre Schurrle is in my plans when he's in top form. He came back from Germany duty very ill. It's taken him time to recover. He needs to adapt better to the Premier League."

Player reaction

Reuters

Chelsea scorer Andre Schurrle on Sky Sports: "We wanted to win today after losing to Newcastle. We bounced back and had a good game.

"I could have had more goals. But I'm happy to score a good goal after not such a positive time for me.

"My body is not where I want to be but I'm happy with my performance.

"We can rotate and make changes and we still have so much quality on the pitch. We have a big squad - that's's what we need for our four goals.

"We don't fear anybody. If we play our best we can beat everyone."

How it finished

So Schalke went through thanks to their victory over Maribor. However it would not have been enough for Roberto Di Matteo's side had his old club not won tonight.

Sporting Lisbon have the consolation of the Europa League.

Maribor can now concentrate on the domestic league...

Lies and statistics

BBC

The match statistics paint the picture of a really close game but Sporting were second best throughout really. A deserved win for the Blues, who perhaps surprisingly kept Diego Costa on for the whole game.

But they don't. It ends 1-0 to Roberto Di Matteo's Schalke, who go through with the Blues.

FULL-TIME

Chelsea win and top the group as they were guaranteed anyway. Sporting Lisbon are out unless Maribor equalise against Schalke in Slovenia.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek thinks it's the moment he was dreaming of last night, a ball over the top finds the midfielder in space through on goal. But he's offside. And fires it wide anyway.

INJURY TIME

Three minutes added on.

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Steve Howes: 86 minutes gone and still we have five men charging down a Sporting shot. TEAM CHELSEA

Manchester City by the way are surely heading through, they lead 2-0 in Rome now.

Separate live text over here.

Sporting Lisbon's Jonathan Silva has a go from 25 yards and it's saved by Petr Cech down at his right post. The Czech has done well tonight.

YELLOW CARD

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta is booked for a studs-up challenge on Jonathan Silva. He hasn't been booked yet in this tournament so isn't facing a ban.

Adrien Silva hits a powerful effort but it's blocked by Gary Cahill who throws himself bravely at the shot. Sporting need Maribor to do them a huge favour or they're out.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek sets up a counter-attack, which Diego Costa slows down, in which time the 18-year-old has got forward, picks up the ball and plays in Loic Remy on the edge of the area but the France international can't take advantage.

SUBSTITUTION

Here comes 18-year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek for his debut, with Cesc Fabregas coming off for his fellow midfielder.

Adrien Silva, who was booked moments earlier, has a shot from distance but it's well over the bar. Time running out now for the lads from Portuguese.

Referee Svein Oddvar Moen discovers his device for talking to his assistants is broken so he goes over to the side to get it fixed.

I'd imagine he was asked if he'd tried turning it off and on again.

Fifteen minutes to go in both games. As things stand Schalke go through and Sporting enter the Europa League.

One goal in Slovenia for Maribor or two in London for Sporting would change all that.

SUBSTITUTION

Chelsea promised teenager Ruben Loftus-Cheek a debut but if he is true to his work, it's just going to be a cameo.

Fellow midfielder Ramires comes on for Andre Schurrle, who was brilliant in the first half but hasn't done much after the break.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa is furious as his shirt is pulled as he chases through on goal but it is not given and keeper Rui Patricio boots the ball out for a throw-in.

That is a man you don't want to anger.

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SUBSTITUTION

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho makes his first change as Loic Remy comes on for Mohamed Salah, who has done OK but not enough to be a likely starter on Saturday against Hull.

SUBSTITUTION

Do Sporting Lisbon look like they are going to score two goals? No.

And so Marco Silva makes his final change as Andre Martins comes on for fellow midfielder Joao Mario.

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Samir Nasri has given Manchester City the lead away to Roma - the 1-0 win would take them through as things stand.

Check out live text updates and BBC Radio 5 live commentary here.

Over in Slovenia

This changes everything. Schalke now lead 1-0 away to Maribor with Max Meyer scoring. That would take Roberto Di Matteo's side through and knock Sporting Lisbon out. Unless the Portuguese side score twice in the final 27 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

Sporting striker Islam Slimani beats Felipe Luis to a high cross but his header is well saved down low by Petr Cech.

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Callum Johnstone: The apocalypse is nigh, Mikel has scored

SUBSTITUTION

Sporting Lisbon make a double change, Carlos Mane and Fredy Montero come on for Diego Capel and William Carvalho.

YELLOW CARD

Sporting Lisbon's highly rated playmaker William Carvalho, who hasn't done much tonight, is booked for fouling Cesc Fabregas. He'll miss their next Champions League game.

GOAL

PA

This is not a drill. I repeat this is not a drill.

John Mikel Obi has scored - he turns home a corner from the closest of ranges. He was maybe six inches out, perhaps less.

Chelsea are pushing for a third goal, they are probably surprised to be back in a match again - they had looked in total control.

Sporting need another goal to guarantee their place in the last 16. Although at the moment they are through no matter what as Schalke are being held by Maribor.

Chelsea are the joint top scorers in this year's tournament along with Real Madrid, with 16 so far. There are other teams in contention to match or better than tonight.

Mohamed Salah almost restores Chelsea's two-goal lead. Andre Schurrle breaks but his Egyptian team-mate gets the shot away, his down-low effort from 20 yards being tipped around the corner by Rui Patricio.

GOAL

Reuters

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Sporting Lisbon back in this game now. Andre Carrillo does well down the right to get a cross in and Andre Schurrle heads the ball out to Jonathan Silva, who is lurking at the edge of the box to fire home.

Game on.

Chelsea have a free-kick, after Cesc Fabregas is fouled. Andre Schurrle's effort from about 20 yards goes just wide - his fourth shot of the night.

Chelsea break with Mohamed Salah finding Diego Costa but the striker can't do much with it. He hasn't looked as sharp as he has in other games this season, perhaps.

KICK-OFF

Chelsea get the second half going. No changes for either side at the break.

Remember, the Blues are expected to bring on 18-year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek for a debut at some stage.

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With first-choice Thibaut Courtois given the night off, if something happens to Petr Cech tonight, we could see a debut for 19-year-old Mitchell Beeney.

If you recognise the surname, it might be because his father, Mark, is a former Leeds keeper and now works as a goalkeeping coach with Mitchell at Chelsea's Under-21s.

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Nene Odonkor: Lots of Chelsea fans moaning about Diego Costa playing. I wonder myself. However, it could be Jose Mourinho wants to improve his fitness

Story of the first half

BBC

Over in Slovenia

In more half-time news, it's Maribor 0-0 Schalke at the break.

That result would see Sporting qualify, but one Schalke goal would take Roberto Di Matteo's side through instead.

It's also half-time in Rome, with Manchester City being held 0-0 by Roma - a result which would eliminate the English champions.

You can read a separate live text commentary on that here.

HALF-TIME

Sure, who needs injury time? Chelsea in control at the break.

PA

Chelsea break with Cesc Fabregas playing a ball out left to Mohamed Salah and his cross is just headed away from Diego Costa out for a corner.

The corner is cleared only as far as Salah, whose first volley is deflected back to him and his second attempt is well over the bar.

Andre Carillo looks like he's behind the Chelsea defence but his cross is cleared, he's been Sporting's dangerman so far though.

We're approaching half-time in London.

Cesc Fabregas plays a ball out to the left wing to find Diego Costa, who barges his way into the box, he looks like he's lost it twice and then he does - Sporting defender Maurico boots the ball off the Spain international with the high deflection landing in the hands of Rui Patricio.

Andre Schurrle is having an outstanding game, and this time he plays a through-ball to Diego Costa, whose shot is blocked by a Sporting defender.

Schurrle would surely be first pick at nearly every other Premier League club.

Sporting have a chance to score. Maybe even two. Diego Capel's header is blocked by Cesar Azpilicueta and Islam Slimani is unable to hook home the rebound - Capel eventually poking it at Petr Cech.

Slimani wanted a penalty for a supposed push in the build-up too.

John Mikel Obi sidesteps William Carvalho like he was the Brazilian playmaker rather than a holding midfielder. The Nigerian hits a strong pass at Diego Costa, who is unable to control it.

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Jared Maobe: I thought Jose Mourinho has been crying that Diego Costa isn't fit! Why play him in a meaningless midweek match?

Nemanja Matic is the latest Chelsea player to have a shot, but his half-volley from Mohamed Salah's pullback goes just past the top corner.

Sporting's hopes now probably lie entirely with Maribor.

Adrien Silva comes forward for Sporting Lisbon but his ball to Islam Slimani is overhit and goes out for a goal-kick. More frustration for Sporting.

And moments later Andre Schurrle has another shot, which is deflected wide. The Chelsea winger is hungry for goals.

Chelsea are in complete control at Stamford Bridge, Andre Schurrle almost doubles their lead but his half-volley is palmed away by Rui Patricio.

I don't expect this to end 2-0.

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Luke Bristow: As much as it hurts to say as a Spurs fan, even a second string Chelsea team are good to watch

This team would still challenge for the Premier League title, no doubt.

So what does this mean for second place in Group G? Well Sporting will still qualify if Schalke fail to win in Maribor - that's 0-0 at the moment.

GOAL

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Is this game over for Sporting Lisbon already? Nemanja Matic plays the ball across to World Cup winner Andre Schurrle, who strokes the ball into the corner of the net past the reach of Rui Patricio from 18 yards. Expert finish.

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Tom Troughton: Would've liked to have seen Loic Remy start tonight

Thomas Buckley: John Obi Mikel has passed forwards more so far in this match than in his life

Twelve passes in the opposition half for Mikel so far.

Chelsea come forward again as Cesc Fabregas finds Mohamed Salah, whose cross is past the reach of Andre Schurrle. The Egyptian really needs a performance tonight - this is only his sixt appearance of the season.

Sporting have what feels like their first attack and an Andre Carrillo header lands into the hands of Petr Cech.

A quick look at the stats shows that Chelsea have had 80% of the ball so far. A very frustrating start for Sporting coach Marco Silva.

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Brad Remus: Hoping the introduction of Loftus-Cheek spells the end of Mikel. Tired of his backwards passing and needless fouls years ago.

GOAL

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Goalkeeper Rui Patricio goes to his right and Cesc Fabregas goes central. It's 1-0 to the Blues.

PENALTY TO CHELSEA

Filipe Luis goes past Ricaro Esgaio who brings him down. Definite spot kick.

A long ball forward almost lands to Chelsea striker Diego Costa, but not quite. He will keep the Portuguese visitors on their toes all night.

Chelsea play possession football with pass, pass, pass, pass, pass ending up with Mohamed Salah, but his looped shot from an angle is straight at keeper Rui Patricio.

Chelsea dominating possession in the early stages, although a lot of it has been at the back. Filipe Luis plays the ball to ex-Atletico Madrid pal Diego Costa, who finds Mohamed Salah - who is playing on the left in a rare outing. But it comes to nothing.

KICK-OFF

Sporting get us under way. They need a point to qualify, will they 'park the bus'?

Looking at Chelsea's team, that's a very strong weakened side! Sounds like a decent atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to bounce back from that Newcastle defeat.

Champions League anthems time. Not long to go.

Remember it's a huge game for Sporting tonight. We will keep you up to date with the score in Slovenia between Maribor and Schalke too.

Reuters

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Kian Dowlatshahi: Why would you start Diego Costa in a game that doesn't matter? Why not give Loic Remy a chance to play?

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Chelsea fans might want their team to win for another reason tonight.

Sporting Lisbon and Roberto Di Matteo's Schalke are battling it out for the second qualification spot.

If Sporting pick up a point tonight, they are through and the German side are out. But a Chelsea-Schalke double would see Di Matteo join the Blues in the last 16.

(A Schalke defeat by Maribor will see them finish bottom of the group and not even reach the Europa League.)

Di Matteo made 175 appearances for Chelsea and guided them to 2012 Champions League glory as caretaker boss before being sacked in November.

Ruben who?

PA

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is on the bench tonight and Jose Mourinho revealed yesterday the teenager will make his debut tonight.

Last time out

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When these two met on matchday two in September, Nemanja Matic's header proved the difference between the two sides in a 1-0 win for Mourinho's men.

The Serbia midfielder returns to the Chelsea line-up this evening, having been suspended for the 2-1 defeat against Newcastle on Saturday.

Team news

PA

Jose Mourinho makes six changes to the side which lost 2-1 against Newcastle on Saturday and rests Willian, John Terry and Eden Hazard.

It is however still a strong team, with Nemanja Matic returning to midfield following suspension and Petr Cech being named captain in his third Champions League appearance this season. Spain internationals Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa both start.

Among the substitutes is 18-year-old midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

A notable absence from the Sporting side is winger Nani, on loan from Manchester United, who has a thigh injury.

Chelsea XI: Cech, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill, Filipe Luis; Mikel, Matic; Schurrle, Fabregas, Salah; Diego Costa.

Subs: Beeney, Ivanovic, Ramires, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Remy, Drogba.

Sporting Lisbon XI: Patricio, Mauricio, Oliveira, Silva, Esgaio, Carvalho, Mario, Silva, Slimani, Capel, Carrillo.

Subs: Marcelo, Sarr, Andre Geraldes, Andre Martins, Oriol Rosell, Montero, Carlos Mane.

Nothing to see here?

Reuters

Chelsea are already through to the last 16, they've already won the group. So this must be a dead rubber with nothing at stake?

Well tell that to Jose Mourinho, whose dreams of going through the season unbeaten ended with defeat by Newcastle at the weekend. He will want a response tonight.

And that's not to mention the Blues players who are coming into the team tonight bidding to start against Hull in the Premier League on Saturday.

Oh and a Chelsea win tonight could be enough to help a Blues legend join them in the knockout stages.

So nothing at stake?