Chelsea secured the result they needed to take them to the semi-finals of the Champions League despite an incredible stoppage time from Porto’s Mehdi Taremi.
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An intense opening saw the Portuguese kit push the Premier League kit with intensity, but Chelsea soon found their rhythm and midfielders Jorginho and N’Golo Kante performed exceptionally in central midfield to keep their opponents comfortably away.
ft. WE ARE FOR THE #UCL SEMI-FINALS! #CHEPOR pic.twitter.com/EmX9uf7377
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 13, 2021
Substitute Taremi scored the only goal of the game in the 93rd minute and rose to the top to acrobatically shoot into the top corner, but it was not enough to change the overall result of the tie.
The Blues are without a doubt the dark horses of the competition, enjoying a wonderful form of form since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as manager and will face the winners of the match between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Let’s take a look at the Chelsea players’ ratings.
Azpilicueta was as reliable as ever Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Edouard Mendy (GK) – 6/10 – Gave the ball directly to Jesus Corona and got Jorginho to thank for rescuing him from trouble. Apart from the little brain teaser, he had very little to do.
Cesar Azpilicueta (CB) – 7/10 – Chelsea’s consistently reliable Spaniards gave the perfect Azpilicueta performance. Underrated but completely committed all the time
Thiago Silva (CB) – 7/10 – Stuck in the air when called and distributes the holding nicely. Knocked late but ran away.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 7/10 – Had something strange back the ball in traffic rather than clearing it at some point but got away with it. Also won most of his headlines.
# J5 on the go! ? #CHEPOR pic.twitter.com/ivJ2KebnFJ
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 13, 2021
Reece James (RWB) – 7/10 – Very little came down on the right side. Did not deliver many crosses in the box but performed the task he was given well.
Jorginho (CM) – 8/10 – Brilliant fighting, makes eight tackles. Sniffed out Porto’s attacking bets and used the ball quite well. A performance that his critics can note.
N’Golo Kante (CM) – 7/10 – Buzzed around in central areas and often broke forward when he won the ball. Shielded well in front of the back four together with Jorginho, which ensured that Porto’s top scorer in Liga NOS Sergio Oliveira barely had a sniff.
Ben Chilwell (LWB) – 7/10 – Set up a good chance for Pulisic that the American missed. Dare forward sometimes and got a few shots away.
Pulisic climbed Quality Sport Images / Getty Images a few times
Mason Mount (RF) – 6/10 – Saw a decent opening well blocked by Wilson Manafa. Worked hard but the playing field was not designed to bring out the best of Mount’s attacking skills.
Christian Pulisic (LF) – 6/10 – Unable to get his feet in the box, he was unable to finish the game. Chilwell was given a chance to change things around. Pulled some fouls with some positive runs.
Kai Havertz (FW) – 6/10 – Didn’t really make many notes in the attacking third but made the midfield even more pointed when he fell in and was a decent flying presence.
Hakim Ziyech – N / A
Olivier Giroud – N / A
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