Matic heads Chelsea to win over Sporting

Nemanja Matic scored a first-half header as Chelsea edged out Sporting Lisbon in a breathless encounter to go top of Champions League Group G.

Brimming with pace and purpose, Chelsea almost took the lead inside two minutes when Diego Costa raced clear but Rui Patricio smothered his effort.

Andre Schurrle wasted several openings before Matic rose to loop a Cesc Fabregas free-kick over Patricio.

Sporting improved after the break but Chelsea held on for an important win.