Nemanja Matic's first-half header was enough for Chelsea to record a first victory in Group G, but it should have been so much more comfortable than a 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon.
The Estadio Jose Alvalade, where the Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho spent 18 months from 1992 as assistant to Sir Bobby Robson, was vibrant on Sporting's first home tie among Europe's elite in five years.
In arguably the toughest assignment of the group, Chelsea - who opened with a 1-1 draw at home to Schalke - were looking to end Sporting's 16-match unbeaten home run in continental competition and should have been 2-0 up inside the opening 22 minutes.
Diego Costa, selected despite his fragile hamstrings, erred in a one-on-one as Rui Patricio saved in the third minute. Andre Schurrle then missed an easy chance, one of several opportunities spurned by the German as it appeared the Premier League's top scorers were having an off night in front of goal. That was until Matic, booed on account of his spell with Sporting's rivals Benfica, headed Chelsea into a 34th-minute lead from Cesc Fabregas' free-kick.
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