29/09/2004  Chelsea 3 Porto 1
 
Jose Mourinho may have removed himself, his backroom staff and two key defenders from Porto this summer but he also took one priceless commodity with him to Stamford Bridge - a winning mentality.

On a night when he had to endure the indignity of being spat upon by one bitter Porto supporter, he inflicted a notable defeat on his former club.

Not that Porto are anything more than a shadow of the side that Mourinho guided to success last season, with so many key ingredients having been removed, including not only the manager but also key playmaker Deco.

Indeed, with CSKA Moscow, with whom they drew their opening tie, having defeated Paris St Germain, to stand on four points, the Portuguese side - with just one from two games - are in deep trouble.

Not so Chelsea, who were ruthless in completing an assured 3-1 victory that puts them just one win away from ensuring qualification for the knock-out stages.

Russia international Alexei Smertin will have delighted compatriot Roman Abramovich with his first Chelsea goal after just six minutes.

And then the two goalscorers the from 3-0 victory away to PSG in the opening group tie - Didier Drogba and John Terry - struck again.

Porto were back in contention for all of two minutes when substitute Benni McCarthy briefly pulled the scoreline back to 2-1 but this is a Chelsea side who replicate many of the single-minded traits of last season's winners.

Indeed, while they have scored just six times in six Barclays Premiership games - with James Beattie adding the other with an own goal - they have already scored just as many in two Champions League ties.

Their rearguard remains as sound as ever and Ricardo Carvalho, who moved to Chelsea with Paulo Ferreira this summer, was honoured before kick-off with UEFA's award for the best defender in last season's competition.

Mourinho, meanwhile, preferred to stay out of the limelight, postponing the chance to pick up his own award for leading Porto to the trophy until Chelsea's next home European game against CSKA.

He even wandered out on his own a few minutes before kick-off to sit on the bench, rather than charging the atmosphere any further, even if he had been warmly welcomed by most true Porto fans.

Mourinho did not remain seated for long though, especially when Chelsea stormed into the early lead courtesy of Smertin.

Damien Duff's lobbed pass had been hoisted by Eidur Gudjohnsen to the far post, where Frank Lampard was lurking.

He nevertheless heard the call from Smertin, who was even better placed, and although the Russian's first-time volley was not exactly the sweetest strike, 'keeper Vitor Baia was still well beaten.

In fact, it was the first time that Baia had been beaten in five Champions League encounters dating back to last season. After all, Mourinho's commitment to a strong defence did not suddenly begin at Stamford Bridge.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech did well to hold onto Luis Fabiano's long-range shot on a rare counter-attack but Chelsea otherwise refused to be lured into an over-adventurous approach that might allow Porto back into the game.

Gudjohnsen took the game to the visitors and although one cross just eluded the far post, he almost put Duff through only for Baia to clutch the ball at the Irishman's feet.

Porto finally started to mount some sustained pressure before the break, with Costinho just failing to connect with Luis Fabiano's dangerous cross, while Maniche and Ricardo Quaresma also threatened.

However, Chelsea were 2-0 up just four minutes after the restart and the game was seemingly won.

Drogba headed the first of two almost identical free-kicks just over the bar from Lampard's cross but then back-headed the ball past Baia from a left-footed delivery by Duff from the same spot.

Porto responded with a double substitution that gave them renewed life, with Benni McCarthy looking especially dangerous up front.

While Cech made a smart reaction save from him, the Czech international could only parry a fierce drive by fellow substitute Carlos Alberto after seemingly being distracted by the ball brushing off Terry's forehead.

It was only the second goal that Chelsea had conceded all season, but if that made a match of it, it was one that lasted all of two minutes before Terry dived to meet a free-kick by Lampard and headed forcefully past Baia.

Drogba's header was ruled out for offside, while he also wasted a late chance to square the ball to substitute Mateja Kezman, but Mourinho's work was done.

Within seconds of the final whistle, he had departed from sight. Say what you will about him and most people have.

But one fact is undeniable - the man has shown, so far at least, that he is a winner.