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Standard Sport assesses the individual performances from the Estadio Jose Alvalade where Chelsea laboured to a 1-0 win away at Sporting Lisbon.
The visitors were much the better side in the opening 45 minutes and would have been out of sight by half-time were it not for a series of stunning saves form Sporting keeper Rui Patricio.
As it was they had to settle for a 1-0 lead at the break after Nemanja Matic headed in Cesc Fabregas’s 34th minute free-kick.
Sporting were improved after the interval but didn’t create any clear-cut chances and were reliant on long-range efforts from Manchester United loanee Nani.
Chelsea could have doubled their lead in the dying stages, but will be relieved to return to London with all three points.
Scroll through our gallery to see who stood out…
Sporting Lisbon v Chelsea - player ratings
