Chelsea's performance lightens the mood at Stamford Bridge

To say victory over Porto is a definite turning point in Chelsea’s season — or even that it has saved Jose Mourinho’s job — would perhaps be overstating the point given the size of their problems, but it has certainly changed the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge and prevented history repeating itself.

The last time Mourinho was sacked by Roman Abramovich — because that’s what everyone has been talking about — Chelsea had just produced a turgid 1-1 draw against Rosenborg in 2007, a result that came at a time of poor relationships off the pitch and poor performances on it.

Importantly it also came at a time of disillusionment on the terraces, Chelsea fans frustrated by the price of tickets and by the quality of football on show; so much so that only 24,973 turned up for the match.