Chelsea finally breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday night after edging out Benfica in a tense Champions League encounter, bringing an end to their bruising run of defeats. The London club, who had been on the ropes following three consecutive losses to Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion, showed glimpses of resilience to secure the much-needed victory.
The match at Stamford Bridge was anything but straightforward. Benfica, known for their attacking flair, pressed high and tested Chelsea’s backline that has looked shaky in recent weeks. Yet this time, the Blues managed to hold their ground. A decisive goal midway through the second half gave the home crowd reason to erupt, with the relief visible on both players and coaching staff after weeks of mounting criticism.
Chelsea’s recent slump had left fans questioning whether Mauricio Pochettino’s side had the mettle to bounce back. The defeats to Bayern in Europe and to United and Brighton in the Premier League not only dented morale but also pushed the Blues down the league table, intensifying the pressure. Against Benfica, however, Chelsea rediscovered some of the composure that has been missing, grinding out the result rather than collapsing under pressure.
While the win doesn’t erase the concerns surrounding the squad’s inconsistency and aggressive play, it does provide a foundation on which to rebuild. Chelsea now face a critical stretch of fixtures, and supporters will be hoping this narrow but vital triumph signals the start of a turning point rather than a temporary reprieve.