A first-half header from Nemanja Matic was enough to help Chelsea earn a deserved 1-0 away win against Sporting Lisbon in Champions League Group G.

Chelsea were on top for the majority of the game but failed to convert a number of good chances and Matic’s goal was all that separated the sides at the final whistle.

The former Benfica midfielder put the visitors in front on 34 minutes when he rose unmarked at the far post to head a quickly-taken Cesc Fabregas goal past Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

Diego Costa almost got Chelsea off the perfect start when he was put through on goal after just two minutes but Patricio stayed big and managed to deflect the ball behind for a corner.

Andre Schurrle had a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock on 22 minutes but he screwed his effort to the left of the post after Eden Hazard found him unmarked on the penalty spot.

Sporting pushed further up the field after the break as they pushed for an equaliser and that allowed Felipe Luis to put Oscar clean through on 55 minutes but again Patricio produced a fine stop.

Fabregas found Chelsea with a wonderful ball over the top ten minutes from time but the Spanish striker found the side netting as Patricio quickly closed down the angle.

Costa nearly got through again four minutes later as a wonderful disguised through ball from Matic almost picked out his arcing run but Patricio raced off his line to avert the danger.

Sporting’s best chance of the game came in the final minute of normal time when Adrian Silva picked out substitute Fredy Montero with a cross, but his header flew just wide.

Chelsea substitute Mohamed Salah had the chance to seal the game in added time after Fabregas threaded a pinpoint through ball to him but Patricio stuck out a leg to deny him.

The result leaves Chelsea on top of Group G with four points after Schalke were at held to a draw at home by Maribor.

Teams

Sporting Lisbon Patricio (c), Cedric, Sarr, Mauricio (Oliveira 63), Silva, Carvalho, Carrillo (Capel 81), Mario, A. Silva (Montero 81), Nani, Slimani
Subs Not Used Marcelo, Jefferson, Martins, Rossel
Booked Carvalho, Mario
Goals

Chelsea Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill Terry (c), Luis, Matic, Fabregas, Schurrle (Willian 57), Oscar (Mikel 71), Hazard (Salah 84), Costa
Subs Not Used Cech, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Remy
Booked Ivanovic, Luis, Hazard, Fabregas
Goals Matic 34

Attendance 50,000

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)