Chelsea's win vs. Porto defined by top midfield of Matic, Ramires and Oscar

For 90 minutes on Wednesday night during the 2-0 win over Porto, Chelsea finally looked like Chelsea. The names on the back of the shirts finally correlated to the players that were wearing them. It was the type of performance that used to be the norm.

It might not have been spectacular and there might only have been two goals scored despite countless wasted chances in the second half, but for perhaps the first time this season the natural understanding between teammates was evident. Good decision-making, sharp tackling and crisp, accurate passing helped to swat away a decent Porto side who threatened to heap more misery on their former manager by ending Chelsea's Champions League adventure at the first hurdle.

Jose Mourinho can give himself a pat on the back regarding his team selection, specifically in the realisation that Cesc Fabregas in central midfield was a recipe for disaster against a technically proficient opponent. To be honest, it was hardly a tough call -- Fabregas' toils this season have been worse than most -- though Ramires' return to fitness meant that Cesc's ennui could be replaced with an energetic presence in the heart of the pitch.

With the Brazilian shuttling away alongside him, Nemanja Matic was free to stamp his authority on the game rather than spend it chasing shadows. When given some meaningful assistance in that area of the pitch, the gangly enforcer looks a totally different player. Graceful yet imposing, he resembles a kind of balletic giraffe, clumsy but still elegant on the ball.

Matic and Ramires were excellent in shielding the back four, especially during a prolonged second half spell when Porto upped their tempo in a desperate bid to score the unlikely three goals that they required to remain in the competition. It is a combination that might lack a little guile and creativity though it is clearly the best solution within the squad at present. Ideally, it would be nice to see Ruben Loftus-Cheek given a run of games next to Matic; it is hoped that Mourinho will afford the 19-year-old the time sooner rather than later to learn his trade.

As solid as Ramires and Matic were, the pair were ably assisted by Oscar just in front of them. The industrious playmaker has a tendency to blow hot and cold but on Wednesday, he showed why the likes of Juventus have courted him for the past couple of seasons. He snapped into several tackles with excellent timing, helping to thwart Porto attacks at their source and demonstrating good discipline to track back when required.

At times Oscar was an extra wall in front of Matic and Ramires but that isn't to say the Brazilian's performance was a negative one. During the first half he was Chelsea's most dangerous player, popping up all over the final third, linking the play beautifully and causing headaches for the visitors' defence.

Retaining such a steady core within the team is surely the path that Chelsea must follow from now on. Yet it's more easily said than done. In September's 2-0 win over Arsenal, a similarly energetic and obdurate performance was given with the midfield (especially Oscar) not giving their counterparts a moment's peace. At the time, it suggested that such a composed and cohesive display would lead to more in the ensuing weeks only for the complete opposite to happen as Chelsea won just one of their next six Premier League matches.

For that reason, there is no temptation to get carried away with this victory. While Wednesday night's win might have been their most impressive of the campaign so far, there have previous moments of apparent epiphany that eventually proved false. Even so, it has to be encouraging that Chelsea can still get the job done when it really matters on an occasion, and when the stakes couldn't be higher against opponents with the potential to seriously rock the boat.

All in all, Wednesday's 2-0 win should instil some belief throughout the squad and dispel some of the nagging doubts that have plagued Mourinho's key players this season. Such was the positive performance that even the much-maligned Diego Costa looked more interested in scoring that having a scrap.

The only real loser in the Chelsea squad on Wednesday was Fabregas, who spent the night as an unused substitute. Unless injury intervenes, Mourinho will surely retain his winning XI for Monday night's trip to league leaders Leicester City. And if he gets an equally positive result, then it could be some time before last season's assist maestro is once again called upon to conduct the Chelsea orchestra.

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