Chelsea's poor form continued as they fell 2-1 to Porto in José Mourinho's return to the club where his illustrious career took off. Maicon's header proved decisive after Willian had cancelled out André André's opener. The win sees Porto go second in Group G while Chelsea drop to third place.
Late goals leave it level at the break
Cesc Fabregas' early effort in the fifth minute stung the palms of Íker Casillas, marking the first real chance for either side. The visitors were then close to a breakthrough on 13 minutes as Pedro got in behind the Porto defence but Casillas saved expertly in an one-on-one opportunity to score.
Just after the half-hour mark, Porto turned their possession into an effort from distance but striker Vincent Aboubakar fired high and wide. The home side would take the lead with five minutes to go in the first-half, thanks to excellent work down the left side by Yacine Brahimi, who had his shot saved well by Asmir Begovic before André André smashed the rebound past the Bosnian goalkeeper.
Chelsea eventually found themselves level on the stroke of half-time with Willian scoring a delightful free-kick from the edge of the area. Ramires' close control drew a foul before his Brazilian counterpart curled the free-kick past a stranded Casillas.
Porto's captain proves to be the difference
The second half couldn't have started worse for the visitors as they again went behind with Maicon heading the in-swinging corner past Begovic at the near post.
Chelsea almost hit back immediately but Diego Costa's curler from distance ricocheted off the crossbar to keep the score at 2-1. Back up the other end, Porto could've extended their lead if not for some last-ditch defending from inside Chelsea's box. Eden Hazard replaced John Obi Mikel in the 63rd minute and was involved straight away but could only fire his first effort into the side netting.
Brahimi went close to making it 3-1 with 20 minutes left as he tried to poke the ball past Begovic after some more brilliant footwork but Begovic scrambled the ball away in time. Chelsea kept pushing and were inches away from levelling the score but Branislav Ivanovic couldn't hit the target with his header.
With ten minutes to go, Porto continuted to press for a third and almost got it but for the woodwork denying Danilo's header. Controversy arose in stoppage time as Diego Costa's appeals for a handball were ignored and replays showed he may have had a case for a spot-kick.
Porto would hold on for all three points - as they piled on more frustration as Chelsea's abysmal start to the new campaign continues.