Julien Lopetegui's side deservedly led at the end of a dominant first-half with on-loan Barcelona winger Cristian Tello squeezing home the opener in the nineteenth minute after latching on to a misplaced pass by defender Eytan Tibi.

Andre Andre, who set up Tello's opener, headed home the second shortly after the break and Miguel Layun's well-taken finish made sure of the points. Eran Zahavi scored Maccabi's first goal of the competition from the penalty spot, but the Israeli champions were well beaten and can no longer qualify from the group.

With two games to go Porto can make the round of sixteen with a draw against Dynamo Kiev next time out.

Elsewhere in the group Jose Mourinho described the crucial win over Dynamo Kiev as 'his moment'. Willian secured the 2-1 victory for the under-fire manager with a brilliant free-kick seven minutes from time.

Mourinho was visibly moved as supporters chanted 'Stand up for the Special One' during the closing stages, a clear message to owner Roman Abramovich that they want their manager to stay.

“With Chelsea, I think this is my moment. It was amazing. The club should be proud of their fans. I can only thank them by giving everything I have, to thank them for this reaction. The moment, I came back to the club and we played the first match at home against Hull City, the way the stadium welcomed me was amazing. But it's not comparable to today. Today comes in a moment where the results are not good”.

Mourinho, whose wife and two children sat behind him, added: “In good moments you see the street full of people celebrating in a buzz. It's easy for kids to go to school in a Chelsea shirt when Chelsea win every match. It's not easy for 11 or 12-year-old kids to go to school with a Chelsea shirt when Chelsea are losing matches, when probably they are bullied by other kids whose teams are winning.”

The Blues win leaves them in second place three points behind FC Porto who travel to Stamford Bridge on the 9th December.