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| Chelsea provided manager Jose Mourinho a stay of execution as they ran out convincing winners against Porto to finish as Group G winners. |
Ivan Marcano scored an own goal after good work from Diego Costa in the first half to get the Blues on their way at Stamford Bridge.
Willian bagged the second to wrap up the victory midway through the second half as Chelsea cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League.
However, Porto, who began the evening at the top of Group G, will be playing their European football on Thursday nights in the Europa League after Dynamo Kiev beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-0.
Costa began with his usual fired up look and despite that usually meaning he is looking for a fight, he managed to channel it into a goal after only 12 minutes of the game.
The Spaniard raced clear of the Porto defence before firing at Iker Casillas, whose save rebounded against the unfortunate Marcano before making its way to the goal.
Maicon thought he had managed to retreat quickly enough to clear the ball before it crossed the line but the goal was (correctly) given by the official behind the goal.
However, Costa showed his other side a few minutes later when he deliberately tripped up Casillias before immediately apologising, almost as if subconsciously looking to pick a fight.
Oscar nearly doubled the lead midway through the half after a lovely move involving Costa and Willian, but the Brazilian’s shot was deflected inches wide of the upright.
Seven minutes into the second half and Willian, arguably the only positive from a so-far dismal season for the Blues, doubled the lead.
Costa squared the ball to Hazard, who in turn slipped in Willian before the Brazilian slammed home a low shot inside the near post.
Porto finally kicked into gear and began to press, as the realisation that they were about to be eliminated from the Champions League kicked in.
And they would have got a certain goal if not for Branislav Ivanovic using his head to deflect Yacine Brahimi’s shot just wide.
Costa fluffed his chance to get a third and end the match as a contest but he dithered for long enough to allow Danilo to get back and recover.
But it didn’t matter as Chelsea stayed in the competition – something which will relieve some of the pressure on Mourinho’s shoulders.
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