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.
Their 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 against Manchester United and Brighton over the past couple of weeks.
Although they dominated possession and had more shots than their opponents, Chelsea hardly threatened the Benfica goal, with Garnacho wasting a couple of opportunities on his second start for his new club.
Teenage substitute Estevao Willian did eventually force Trubin into a decent save near the end as he stretched for a header.
It was Chelsea’s first victory in the Champions League since March 2023.
More importantly, it ended a poor sequence of results in a month where their only victory came in the EFL Cup at League One Lincoln and provides Enzo Maresca some breathing space before Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Liverpool.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez had a barrage of objects hurled at him from the away end as he was trying to take a corner but eventually had the last laugh against his former side.
The Argentine, 24, led his team out as captain and helped secure a win in the first Champions League match at Stamford Bridge for two-and-a-half years.
Having helped get the ball out wide, Fernandez was lurking to score a tap-in had Rios not turned into his own net in the 18th minute.
It was an example of the World Cup winner’s increased goalscoring instinct, adopting those Frank Lampard-style late runs into the box to score three goals this season.
Indeed, Fernandez has been involved in 16 goals in his last 27 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea (seven goals, nine assists), with only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah having a better record among Premier League players.
That final-third impact has been key with star attacker Cole Palmer having suffered patchy form in 2025 before succumbing to a persistent groin injury.
Fernandez has had to be robust and has started all nine of Chelsea’s matches in all competitions this season.
That shows the leadership and grit Maresca needs from one of his leaders – as did the fact he was the most fouled player and involved in the most duels on Tuesday night.
Of course, you can see why the Benfica fans would have been so angry at losing him even for a then-British transfer record £107m in 2023. He left just six months after joining from River Plate, and also forced his exit.
He may well be public enemy number one in Lisbon, but he is increasingly winning over the west Londoners, who chanted his name in a much-needed victory.
•Photo Caption: Benfica manager Jose Mourinho watches on as Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella challenges Dodi Lukebakio at Stamford Bridge
