\The ‘Blues must ensure they prevent the French champions from scoring if they hope to get any chance at the last eight of the Uefa champions league tonight. Guus Hiddink’s men are not starting this match as favourites, so they need to do something special tonight. The good news for the ‘Blues’ is that they have won all their three home matches of the UCL this season, but would they continue the streak against a formidable PSG? John Terry has been ruled out of the match due to injury.
Live updates are as follows:
Guus Hiddink has decided to make four changes to the
Chelsea side that drew 1-1 with Stoke on the weekend, with
Kenedy, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Diego Costa coming into
the starting line-up to replace Baba Rahman, Nemanja Matic,
Oscar and Bertrand Traore, all of whom drop to the
substitutes’ bench.
Meanwhile, PSG boss Laurent Blanc has made five alterations
to the side that featured in the goalless draw with Montpellier,
with Gregory van der Wiel, Presnel Kimpembe, Christopher
Nkunku, Benjamin Stambouli and Edinson Cavani making way
for Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Thiago Motta, Blaise Matuidi and
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, respectively.
1'And we're off! Chelsea get us underway, attacking from right
to left.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with
just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
2'Pedro immediately finds space on the right flank and flies
down the wing on a marauding run. He then cuts inside before
attempting to tee up Costa, but the striker's first touch is poor
and sends the ball straight into the feet of Luiz, who is easily
able to deal with the danger just outside of the PSG penalty
area.
3'Great chance for Costa! PSG try to play out from the back,
but they're sloppy on the ball and a poor pass from Rabiot
flies straight into the feet of Willian just outside of the visitors'
box. The Brazilian quickly sends it over to Costa, who skips
past Luiz and unleashes a thumping shot from the edge of the
penalty area that Trapp does well to push away with a strong
diving save.
4'After finally clearing the ball up towards the halfway line,
PSG embark on their first attacking move of the game that
sees them pass the ball around deep inside the Chelsea half of
the pitch. A cross is then curled into the box but it's easily
dealt with by Cahill before Mikel tries to kick-start a counter-
attack.
5'What a vital stop by Ivanovic! Lucas flies through the middle
of the pitch on an excellent run before poking a beautiful pass
through the Chelsea defence and into the path of Di Maria. The
Argentine beats Kenedy with ease before slotting a side-footed
shot past the outstretched foot of Courtois, but the Serbian
defender is there to clear the ball out for a corner before it can
find the back of the net.
6'Ibrahimovic scores, but it's offside! The resulting set-piece
is curled into the heart of the penalty area, where Chelsea are
just about able to deal with the initial danger. The ball comes
back into the box, however, before Motta nods it down into the
path of the Swedish striker. He quickly rounds Courtois before
poking a close-range strike into the back of the net, but as
soon as he makes contact with the ball the linesman's flag is
raised, much to the delight, and relief, of the home fans.
8'After a few minutes on the back foot, Hazard breaks down
the left wing as he tries to latch on to a loose pass forward.
He's unable to find a way past Silva, however, and the
Brazilian centre-back does well to out-muscle the Belgian
before shepherding the ball out of play for a goal-kick.
10'Ibrahimovic muscles his way into the Chelsea penalty area
before firing a shot, but it takes a deflection off Azpilicueta
that sends the ball bouncing out for a corner. The set-piece is
flung towards the penalty spot, but it's well cut out by Cahill
before Pedro thumps a clearance up towards the halfway line.
The hosts try to kick-start a quick counter-attack but Kenedy
ends up losing possession before he can tee up Costa.
12'Pedro spins past Matuidi with a lovely turn before trying to
head down the right flank, but the Spaniard ends up getting
dragged to the ground by the PSG midfielder, resulting in a
free-kick for Chelsea in a dangerous position. Willian curls a
beautiful cross into the middle of the box, but there are no blue
shirts there to meet it and, as a result, it's comfortably dealt
with by Rabiot.
14'And now PSG are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous
position deep inside the Chelsea half of the pitch after Ivanovic
brings Ibrahimovic crashing to the ground with a poorly-timed
challenge from behind. It's taken quickly before Di Maria flings
a deflected cross over to the Swedish striker at the far post,
but once again he slightly mistimes his run forward and is
flagged offside as soon as his first-time half-volley is saved by
Courtois.
16'GOAL! PSG have taken the lead! Di Maria is left in far too
much space just outside of the Chelsea penalty area, allowing
him to dart forward under very little pressure. He then pokes a
lovely pass into the right-hand side of the box, where it finds
Ibrahimovic, and the striker also finds himself in so much room
due to poor defending from the hosts. He takes a quick touch
before firing a low cross towards the far post, where Rabiot
beats Azpilicueta before tapping the ball into the back of the
net from close range.
16'Ibrahimovic did wonderfully well to set up Rabiot with a
perfect pass, but he really should have been closed down by
the Chelsea defence, who were at sixes and sevens. Kenedy
had pushed up too far and, as a result, was outside of the
penalty area when the striker made contact with the ball, whilst
Cahill didn't know where to go and, as a result, marked
nobody.
18'Hazard picks up the ball in the middle of the pitch and
quickly darts forward before sending the ball out to Pedro on
the right wing. The Spaniard cuts inside before trying to fire a
cross towards Costa, but it's well cut out by Maxwell. The ball
bounces back to the Belgian midfielder, however, and he spins
past Luiz with ease before firing a low shot that once again,
PSG's Brazilian left-back is able to block at the vital moment.
20'Chance for Costa! Chelsea come back once again and work
the ball around quickly as they dart down the left flank.
Hazard then chips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but
it's well dealt with by PSG. The ball finds Ivanovic, however,
and the defender sends a huge header flying over the visitors'
defence and into the path of the Spanish striker. He's totally
unmarked inside the box, but just as he sends a chipped shot
over Trapp the linesman's flag is raised for offside.
22'After a nervy few moments, PSG are back in control as they
patiently pass the ball around in the middle of the pitch. With a
two-goal lead under their belts, they look in no rush to push
forward, and their aim for the moment seems to be to keep the
ball as far away from the determined hosts as possible.
24'After holding on to possession for what feels like an age, Di
Maria eventually tries to chip a deep cross over to Ibrahimovic
at the back post, but the Argentine's attempted pass is poorly
hit and misses the striker before flying into the hands of
Courtois.
26'Willian picks up the ball near the halfway line and
immediately embarks on a great run down the right wing. He
then cuts inside before trying to send a low cross over to
Costa, but just as it's about to meet the Spanish striker it's cut
out by a vital interception by Silva in the heart of the penalty
area.
27'Assist Willian Borges Da SilvaSilva
27'Goal Diego Da Silva Costa.
GOAL! Chelsea are back in the game! Willian and Pedro link
up wonderfully well outside of the PSG penalty area as they
work the ball around quickly between themselves. The
Brazilian then tees up Costa, who takes on Silva and skips
past the centre-back far too easily before slotting an excellent
shot past the outstretched limbs of Trapp and into the bottom
left-hand corner of the net.
29'Once again, Chelsea's crisp and fast passing deep inside
the PSG half of the pitch causes problems for the visitors'
defence. Hazard, who has started the game well, darts
towards the right-hand side of the penalty area before firing a
low cross into the middle of the box, but Silva is just about
able to get a toe on the ball to stop it from doing so.
31'Almost another great opportunity for Costa! Once again,
Willian and the striker link up brilliantly on the edge of the PSG
penalty area. The Brazilian uses his quick feet to skip past two
defenders before poking a deft pass towards the Spaniard, but
once again Silva is there to cut out the danger at the vital
moment.
33'Opportunity for Ibrahimovic! Lucas sprints down the right
flank and skips past Ivanovic on the byline before chipping a
lovely cross into the middle of the Chelsea penalty area. It
finds the Swedish striker, who easily rises high above
Azpilicueta before sending a bullet header towards goal, but
it's comfortably stopped by Courtois, who does well to get his
body behind it.
34'Costa breaks down the left flank and goes one-on-one with
Rabiot, but the Frenchman ends up halting the striker's run
with a cynical tackle and ends up receiving the first yellow card
of the game as a result. The resulting free-kick is curled by
Willian into the heart of the box, but it's sent too near to Trapp
and, as a result, the goalkeeper is easily able to cut out the
danger.
36'Bar Ibrahimovic's chance a few minutes ago, Chelsea have
looked far more comfortable than they did in the early
exchanges of the game. They are now largely on the front foot
and are working the ball around wonderfully inside the visitors'
half of the pitch, which is resulting in them being presented
with several good opportunities on goal.
38'PSG patiently pass the ball around the edge of the Chelsea
penalty area as they try to find a way through the wall of blue
shirts camped in front of them. The ball eventually drops to
Ibrahimovic on the left-hand side of the box, and he takes a
quick touch to beat Azpilicueta to before firing a low cross
towards Di Maria. It's poorly hit, however, and is easily cut out
by Cahill before it can find the Argentine.
39'Great chance for Fabregas! Willian, who has arguably been
Chelsea's best player thus far, darts down the right wing on
another great run before cutting the ball back to Pedro. He
controls it well before teeing up his fellow Spaniard, who takes
a quick touch before unleashing a curling low shot that beats
the outstretched arm of Trapp before flying several yards wide
of the far post.
41'A half-hearted PSG attacking move breaks down and
Chelsea immediately try to break away on a quick counter-
attack. Fabregas immediately flies through the middle of the
pitch on a great run but is cynically brought crashing to the
ground by Motta, who becomes the second player to receive a
yellow card.
42'Almost a costly mistake by PSG! The visitors are being far
too casual when in possession inside their own half of the
pitch, and they're constantly having their pockets picked due to
Chelsea's high pressing. After losing the ball Hazard breaks
towards the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a
curling shot, but Trapp does well to read the flight of the strike
before comfortably saving it at the far post.
44'Once again, sloppy play by PSG results in them losing the
ball in a dangerous position. This time it's Lucas who is
caught sleeping when in possession, allowing Chelsea to fly
forward on another quick counter-attack. Costa charges
towards the edge of the box before trying to tee up Pedro, but
he holds on to the ball for far too long and ends up losing out
to Silva at the last moment.
45'Motta and Fabregas clash in the middle of the pitch as they
battle for the ball, and despite both players raising their boots
high, the referee decides to show the Spaniard a yellow card
instead of giving the PSG midfielder his marching orders.
45'+1'Great defending by Marquinhos! Costa receives the ball
in a pocket of space just outside of the PSG penalty area and
immediately tests Trapp with a lovely low shot. The goalkeeper
does well to keep out the Spaniard's effort but can only parry
it into the path of Pedro, but just as the attacking midfielder is
about to tap the ball into the back of the net from close range
the Brazilian right-back dives in to poke it out for a corner.
HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-1 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
What an excellent first half that was, and it's one that sets us
up for what is sure to be an even better second period! A great
start by PSG resulted in them scoring a vital away goal with
just 16 minutes on the clock, but Chelsea, who have looked
excellent every time they push forward, fought back valiantly
and equalised through Costa, meaning that they are now just
one goal away from taking the game to extra-time. Both sides
have had their fair share of nervy moments at the back, but
since scoring it's the Blues who look to stronger of the two.
Their early frailties have largely disappeared, allowing their
front line to enjoy themselves when breaking away quickly.
The visitors' sloppiness on the ball hasn't helped them, and
that is something that they will have to quickly rectify if they
are to avoid falling behind after the break.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch
ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made
any substitutions during the half-time break.
46'And we're underway once again!
48'Luiz chips a lofted pass down the left flank, where it finds
Maxwell. The Brazilian skips past Pedro easily before trying to
take on Azpilicueta on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area,
but the Spaniard comes out on top and dispossesses the left-
back before poking the ball out for a throw-in.
50'Fantastic run by Willian! The Brazilian charges down the
left wing and beats Marquinhos with ease before cutting into
the PSG penalty area. He then cuts the ball back to Costa,
whose first-time shot deflects off the leg of Luiz and into the
path of Azpilicueta. The right-back then tries to test Trapp with
a thumping strike, but Maxwell is there to throw his body in
the way to stop it from doing so.
52'Chelsea scream for a free-kick, but nothing is given! Poor
play by Maxwell gifts the ball to the hosts, who quickly break
down the right flank through Pedro before working the ball
over to Willian on the edge of the penalty area. The Brazilian
immediately goes down under a challenge from Matuidi, but
the referee waves away the hosts' protestations and allows
play to go on,ObOb
53'PSG quickly break forwardover
a brilliant counter-attack,
with Lucas using his searing pace to fly towards the Chelsea
penalty area. He cuts inside and beats Cahill but is cynically
tripped over by Mikel, who takes one for the team and is
shown a yellow card as a result.
54'The resulting set-piece free-kick is initially dealt with well
by Chelsea, but PSG come back once again after quickly
winning back possession. Rabiot picks up the ball just outside
of the penalty area on the right wing and curls a lovely ball
towards the back post, but, not for the first time this evening,
Ibrahimovic strays offside and the linesman's flag is quickly
raised as a result.
56'Azpilicueta picks up the ball on the halfway line and
immediately sends an excellent pass into the feet of Hazard.
The Belgian then pulls off a lovely flick to tee up Costa on the
edge of the PSG penalty area, but the striker is slightly offside
and he's flagged offside just as he sends a chippy chip over
the head of Trapp and into the back of the net.
58'Lovely play by PSG! The visitors run rings around the
Chelsea defence as they quickly move the ball around on the
edge of the penalty area. Di Maria and Ibrahimovic link up
wonderfully well before the latter tees up Maxwell, who is in
acres of space on the left wing. The full-back cuts towards the
box before chipping a cross towards the back post, but
Courtois is there to cut out the danger.
59'This looks to be a huge blow for Chelsea, as Costa has
gone down off the ball inside the PSG half of the pitch and
looks to have picked up a nasty-looking muscle injury. As soon
as play stopped he signalled to the dugout to indicate that he
needed to be substituted, and it looks as if his game is over.
60'Costa receives a standing ovation from the home fans as
he gingerly makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by
Traore. What an opportunity this is for the youngster!
67'GOAL! PSG have scored, and that's surely the winner! A
misplaced pass from Di Maria misses Matuidi and seems to
result in the breakdown of an attacking move, but the ball ends
up finding Motta. The Italian then pokes a beautiful pass past
both Azpilicueta and Fabregas and into the path of the
Argentine winger, who darts down the left flank before firing a
low cross towards the back post. It meets Ibrahimovic, who,
like Rabiot for his side's opener, is easily able to tap the ball
into the back of the net from close range.
Assist Ángel Fabián di María HernándezHernándezHernándezHernández
69'Chelsea now need to score at least three more goals if they
are to have any chance of reaching the next round of the
competition, but that goal of PSG's seems to have knocked the
confidence out of the hosts. Their pressing was causing the
visitors plenty of problems in the first half but they aren't
pressurising their opponents with any intensity at the moment,
which is making life incredibly easy for the Parisians.
77'To add insult to injury, Hazard now seems to be injured and
motions to the dugout as he winces on the edge of the PSG
penalty area. He looks to have been struggling with something
for most of the second period, and he's eventually replaced by
Oscar for the final 13 minutes of the game.
89'The PSG fans are thoroughly enjoying themselves as they
watch their side dominate possession inside the Chelsea half
of the pitch. They look in no rush to push forward but are
doing well to keep the ball away from the hosts, who,
understandably, are showing little fight as the game enters the
final few minutes. They just haven't looked the same after
going behind for the second time, and since then the pace of
the game has slowed down considerably.
90'Willian is pushed to the ground by Luiz, resulting in a free-
kick for Chelsea in a dangerous position on the right wing. The
Brazilian swings a cross into the PSG penalty area, but as
soon as it's met by a white shirt the referee blows his whistle
and awards a free-kick to the visitors for a hefty push off the
ball by Ivanovic on Motta.
patiently pass the ball around inside the PSG half of the pitch
as they wait for the referee to blow his whistle for the final
time. It's been a tough night for the Blues, and their opponents
are now just seconds away from reaching the quarter-finals,
and deservedly so.
And now, it's all over for the London Blues, what a devastating game by the French champs , PSG
FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 1-2 PSG (AGG 2-4)
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