Sporting Lisbon fail to qualify for CL last 16 post 3-1 loss to Chelsea

Chelsea thrashed Sporting Lisbon 3-1 in Thursday's Champions League clash to deny the Portuguese club qualification for the knockout stages as Jose Mourinho's men finished at the top of the Group G.

Chelsea rounded off their Champions League group stage with a fourth victory as Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas provided the lead to the home side just eight minutes into the game with a penalty after Filip Luis had been fouled by Ricardo Esgaio.

German winger Andre Schurrle doubled the lead soon after with a low right-foot strike in the 16th minute. Schurrle collected a square ball from midfielder Nemanja Matic 20 yards out, and his driving right-foot strike found the bottom left-hand corner of Rui Patricio's goal, The BBC reported.

Sporting pulled a goal back in the second half through Jonathan Silva, whose neat chest down and right-foot shot beat goalkeeper Petr Cech low to his right from inside the penalty area.

However, Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi tapped in from a Fabregas free kick to secure the win for Chelsea six minutes after Silva's goal.

With Chelsea already guaranteed qualification as group winners, Mourinho made six changes to the side, which lost 2-1 against Newcastle on Saturday, resting the likes of Willian, John Terry and Eden Hazard.

However, he named a strong side with Matic returning to midfield following suspension and goalkeeper Petr Cech captain in his third Champions League appearance of the season.

Among the substitutes was England Under-19 midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who made his club debut replacing Fabregas in the closing stages.

Mourinho said that his side was very focused and serious, adding that he is happy with that. He claimed that he feels sorry for Sporting, as he would have liked them to qualify.

Mourinho also claimed that the win was important, adding that it was a good reaction to losing at Newcastle United and a good chance for players to have more minutes. He also stated that Schurrle is in his plans when the German is in top form.