Mourinho defeated on Chelsea return as Blues beat Benficapublished at 08:19 BST
08:19 BST
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Stamford Bridge
Image source, Getty Images
Jose Mourinho’s latest return to Stamford Bridge ended in frustration as Chelsea secured a narrow Champions League victory over his new club Benfica thanks to Richard Rios’ first-half own goal.
Such is the affection Chelsea fans have for Mourinho they serenaded him before and during the encounter.
Mourinho, who replaced former Wolves boss Bruno Lage 12 days ago, responded by waving to both ends of the ground.
But he would doubtless have preferred Benfica not to provide a present to their hosts as Colombian midfielder Rios could not get out of the way when Alejandro Garnacho sent Pedro Neto’s-far post cross fizzing back into the six-yard area, giving goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin no chance of keeping the ball out.
There was frustration for the Blues though as well, with subsitute Joao Pedro sent off in the sixth minute of stoppage time for a second yellow card.
It was Chelsea’s third red card in four games, although at least this time it happened too late to affect the outcome, as was the case in recent Premier League defeats to Manchester United and Brighton.