Caicedo’s late goal spares Chelsea’s blushes against Pafos

Chelsea secured a hard-fought 1–0 Champions League victory over Pafos FC at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, thanks to Moisés Caicedo’s late goal.

The Blues dominated possession early on and created the first chance 10 minutes into the game, when Pedro Neto attempted to pick out the top corner from the edge of the area, but his effort flew wide.

Moments later, Reece James could have given the hosts the lead after Enzo Fernández found him just outside the box, but the Chelsea skipper’s effort went narrowly wide of the bottom corner.

Just past the quarter-hour mark, Fernández thought he had broken the deadlock when he headed home Neto’s inswinger cross from the right, but the Argentine’s effort was ruled out for a foul on Derrick Luckassen.

At the half-hour mark, Diego Jaja almost gave the visitors a shock lead after his shot from inside the area took a slight deflection off James’ arm and struck the post. Pafos appealed for a penalty, but after a VAR review, nothing was given.

At the other end, Caicedo tried his luck from distance, but his powerful strike was parried away by Jay Gorter as Chelsea continued their search for a breakthrough.

Just before the break, Gorter made two brilliant saves to deny Caicedo and Jorrel Hato the opener.

Shortly after the restart, Fernández clipped a pass into Estevão, who struck it first time, but the Brazilian’s volley was palmed away by Gorter.

On the hour mark, Neto again tried his luck from range, but his effort took a slight deflection in a congested box and Gorter was equal to it.

Minutes later, Luckassen made a last-ditch block to deny Alejandro Garnacho’s curling effort.

In the 78th minute, Caicedo finally broke the deadlock and gave Chelsea a deserved lead after Neto’s corner was flicked on at the near post, allowing the Ecuadorian to react quickest and nod home the opener.

At the other end, Vlad Dragomir had an immediate chance to respond, but his long-range effort flew straight into the gloves of Robert Sánchez.

On the stroke of full time, Landry Dimata could have restored parity after skipping past Benoît Badiashile, but his shot from the left side of the box was comfortably collected by Sánchez.

Liam Rosenior’s first Champions League win moves Chelsea to eighth place in the league-phase standings.