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Chelsea 2 Porto 0 player ratings: Who starred in Champions League win as John Terry, Diego Costa and Ramires returned?

A look at the individual performances at Stamford Bridge

Vaishali Bhardwaj

Wednesday 09 December 2015 23:08 GMT

(2015 Getty Images)

Chelsea finally had something to celebrate in their unexpectedly poor season after qualifying for the Champions League knock-out phase with a 2-0 victory over Porto.

Chelsea not only avoided the embarrassment of dropping into the Europa League, but Jose Mourinho's team advanced as Group G winners while his former club, Porto, finished third behind Dynamo Kiev to qualify for the second-tier competition.

Fortune favoured Chelsea in the 12th minute at Stamford Bridge when Ivan Marcano scored an own goal and Willian rifled a second strike past goalkeeper Iker Casillas early in the second half.

Chelsea's assured performance — albeit against largely ineffective Portuguese visitors — has been lacking so often in a season when the Premier League title defense has seen the club lose eight out of 15 games.

It was only Chelsea's ninth win in 23 matches in all competitions this season, excluding the curtain-raising Community Shield which set the tone for the campaign by losing to Arsenal.

So who was to thank for the win as John Terry, Costa and Ramires returned to the starting line-up?

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Show all 11

1/11Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Thibaut Courtois - 6 out of 10

Was hardly called into action in the first half, but looked comfortable when needed.

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Branislav Ivanovic - 6 out of 10

Imbula and Brahimi initially gave the right-back some problems early on but he remained stalwart and defended well as the game progressed, containing the Porto forwards superbly well thereafter.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Kurt Zouma - 7 out of 10

Worked well alongside Terry and dealt with Porto's aerial threat several times while he used his pace to track back and stop the likes of Corona from testing Courtois with shots - even being applauded by the fans and Mourinho in one instance.

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

John Terry - 7 out of 10

Showed leadership at the back in what was a crucial match and marshalled his back line well while defending well in one-on-one situations.

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Cesar Azpilicueta - 5 out of 10

Started the game shakily and Mourinho responded by shouting at the full-back after he had given away a free kick. However, the Spaniard grew into the game and stopped Porto's threat down the left flank.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Ramires - 6 out of 10

Came back into the starting line-up following two weeks out injured, and seemed more effective than Fabregas alongside Matic as he helped provide the defensive cover the Serbian needed.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Nemanja Matic - 7 out of 10

Protected Chelsea's back line superbly well alongside Ramires, making the much-needed challenges in the middle of the park although he was shown a yellow card for his tackle on Brahimi, which will rule him out of Chelsea's next game.

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Willian - 8 out of 10

Started the game on the right, but kept switching flanks with Hazard which caused Porto problems. Worked hard, as ever, and was rewarded with a well-taken goal in the second half - his seventh this season. Could have had another earlier but Casillas denied him.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Oscar - 6 out of 10

Was denied an early penalty after seemingly being tripped up in the area before he then saw his shot go just wide through a deflection. However, he proved to be a good choice in the area just behind Costa - linking up well with his teammates when attacking and nearly scoring late on. Was brought off to applause for Pedro.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Eden Hazard - 7 out of 10

Kept switching from the left to the right but after settling on the former, he ended up being a big threat for Chelsea as the match wore on and delivered the pass from which Willian scored the second of the night.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Porto

Diego Costa - 7 out of 10

Played a huge role in Chelsea's first goal after his low shot was blocked by Casillas before it rebounded off Marcano and into the goal. Despite getting a needless yellow for tripping up the Porto goalkeeper, Costa was a threat up front all evening and was involved in the build-up to Willian's goal. Had a second-half penalty appeal turned down.

2015 Getty Images

Who was your man of the match? Let us know in the comments below.

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