Chelsea bounce back again to beat Porto and do something towards Champions League semis
Chelsea bounced rear from a testing few days to earn a good commanding first-leg quarter-final away make an impression on Porto in the Champions League.
Mason Mount's clever change and surface finish in the first fifty percent helped bring some welcome relief to Blues manager Thomas Tuchel after his side's heavy defeat to West Brom on Saturday, that was followed by an exercise surface incident between team-mates Kepa Arrizabalaga and Antonio Rudiger.
Ben Chilwell added a later second after a blunder by Corona, moments just after substitute Christian Pulisic had strike the bar.
Having conceded five desired goals against West Brom, Chelsea made a dogged defensive efficiency to gain a seventh clean sheet in 9 European games this year.
Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta's essential block denied Corona before Edouard Mendy kept out Pepe's header.
With both legs of the tie in Spain at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium as a result of coronavirus travel restrictions between Portugal and the united kingdom, this is Porto's 'home' game, meaning Chelsea's two away goals put them in pole situation before next Tuesday's second leg.
Resilient Chelsea show grit
This was the perfect response by Chelsea after last weekend's embarrassment - a resilient, motivated and professional performance against a team that experienced eliminated Juventus in the last round.
Tuchel reacted to the West Brom shambles by building five changes, with Rudiger among those recalled despite his 'heated' row with Arrizabalaga.
Rudiger played his portion within an impressive Chelsea rearguard screen, Porto carving out countless chances without managing to discover a way through.
Mendy employed his legs to keep out Moussa Marega even though Luis Diaz, who scored against Manchester City on the group stage, went close from beyond your penalty area.
At the other end, Timo Werner and Azpilicueta missed headed chances to increase the lead after Mount scored before Chilwell's crucial second - a composed surface finish after bursting in to the penalty area and taking it at night keeper - gave his aspect a handsome win.
Mount impresses again
Mount continues to flourish, his target the highlight in that which was for long spells a good closely-fought contest.
Having received a complete from Jorginho carrying out a patient build-up, the midfielder turned sharply and beat Agustin Marchesin with an instinctive low finish coming from an angle.
Mount has scored even more goals in every competitions than any other Chelsea person since Tuchel was first appointed in January.
In 2020-21, he has found the web for club and country in the Premier League, Nations League, FA Glass, World Glass qualifying and today Champions League.
Having dropped out of your top 4, Chelsea will pray this result can certainly propel them to a strong finish to the growing season.
The winners of the tie face Real Madrid or Liverpool in the semi-finals - Real lead 3-1 following the first leg - and the Blues likewise have an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on 17 April.
