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With merciless effectiveness, Chelsea and its coach Thomas Tuchel prevented a nasty surprise in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League at FC Porto.
The Londoners had only a few chances to score on Wednesday evening in the game played in Seville due to the corona-related travel restrictions - but they took advantage of them.
Mason Mount (32nd) after a strong pass from Jorginho and Ben Chilwell (85th) ensured the 2-0 (1-0) against the Portuguese champions, who had long been equal.
Chelsea FC has a good chance of reaching the semi-finals in the premier class for the first time since 2014.
The second leg will take place again in Seville next Tuesday.
Then the Blues are nominally the hosts.
Before the game, Tuchel had promised a reaction to the unexpected 5-2 win against relegation candidate West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.
But for a long time there was little to see.
The midfielder Kai Havertz and striker Timo Werner, who were appointed to the starting line-up, did not provide the momentum they had hoped for.
Your national team colleague Antonio Rüdiger had far more to do in the Chelsea defense than desired.
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FC Porto showed why they had eliminated Juventus Turin in the previous round.
From a good defense, the Portuguese played their way into promising final positions a few times.
But often there was a lack of precision.
A corner from Otavio (24th) and a header from captain Pepe (43rd), also after a corner, were the only good chances.
The favorite from London, however, brought little forward.
Porto sent the midfield and left little room in cover.
The Blues only found the gap once: Jorginho fitted into the intersection of Porto's defensive chain, Mason Mount completed it skillfully and put his team in the lead with the first shot on the opposing goal.
Mason Mount scores the opening goal
Source: dpa / Angel Fernandez
After the break, the picture did not change at first.
FC Porto were the more active team, even if Chelsea FC had more possession.
Mendy had to intervene against Marega (51st), after Luis Diaz's low shot (57th) the ball flew just past Mendy's goal.
After a little more than an hour, Tuchel reacted and took the weak Werner and Havertz off the field for ex-Dortmunders Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud in the 65th minute.
The game became increasingly confused, the game was repeatedly interrupted by fouls.
Porto made little progress.
Pulisic could have raised a minute before Chilwell's goal, but he chased the ball against the crossbar.
Seconds later, left-back Chilwell did better and created an even better starting position.