Chelsea 3-1 Porto

Last updated : 01 October 2004 By Rich Godden
Chelsea got off to a fantastic start as Eidur Gudjohnsen hooked back a hopeful punt upfield for Alexey Smertin to volley home his first goal for the club! Unfortunately, myself and hundreds of others missed this goal due to ridiculous delays on the London Underground, although I did just catch it on the big screen as I arrived inside the ground! Thank you very much Ken Livingstone!

The rest of the first half was played out in a fairly dull manner, with chances pretty scarce for either side. Porto were being limited to long range shots, whilst Chelsea also struggled to break down a dogged Porto defence.

In the end, the home side were relieved to hear the half time whistle, allowing us chance to regroup.

After the break, we had another fantastic start. Damien Duff swung in a fantastic cross from the right hand side, allowing Didier Drogba the chance to open up his account at Stamford Bridge! The Ivory Coast hitman jumped, swivelled his neck in mid air to glance the ball past the onrushing Porto keeper. 2-0 Chelsea!

We continued to dominate the second half, but allowed Porto an easy route back into the match. A hopeful long range punt was deflected by John Terry, and Petr Cech could only parry the effort as far as Benni McCarthy. Suffice to say the South African didn't need a second invitation.

But this Chelsea side is developing a fantastic spirit and winning mentality and barely two minutes later we restored the two goal advantage. An in-swinging corner from Frank Lampard corner was thundered in off the head of the swooping John Terry. Tex now has two goals in as many Champions League games this term!

It then should have been 4-1 to the Blues, after another fantastic ball in from Lamps was headed home by Didier Drogba. Unfortunately, the referee spotted an infringement which no one else in the ground spotted!

In the end, it was a punishing performance from the Blues from West London!