Moises Kaysed’s late header earned Chelsea a hard-fought 1-0 win over Minovs Paphos and boosted their hopes of automatic qualification for the Champions League final.
Defeat in Enzo Maresca’s last Champions League game away to Atalanta in December left Chelsea scrambling to avoid the play-offs in two legs, but this narrow win in head coach Liam Rosenior’s first experience of the competition moved them up to eighth on goal difference.
Big pressure remains on next Wednesday’s trip to Napoli, with eight teams level on 13 points and a further five within three points of the Blues’ result, but automatic progression – and avoiding a February pile-up – is in Chelsea’s hands.
Rosenior’s first taste of Champions League action was a frustrating one on 78 minutes as Enzo Fernandez saw a first-half header ruled out for a push and Paphos goalkeeper Jay Gorter pulled off a series of saves for the stubborn visitors.
The Cypriot champions even hit the woodwork at the other end, Yaya deflecting a shot past Rhys James at the post. Penalty appeals were rightly rejected by the visitors, with the Blues captain’s arm tucked into his chest, but it was a cautionary tale for Chelsea.
Estevao was brought on at half-time to try and provide some spark for a Chelsea side missing the rested Cole Palmer, but the Brazilian’s fierce volley was saved by Gorter before Bruno made a save to save the goal. Defenseman Derrick Luckassen then ran in to prevent Alejandro Garnacho from scoring.
But just as Chelsea’s nerves began to fray and concerns grew that they would miss out on a place in the top eight, Caicedo met Paphos’ Nani Dimata’s offside corner to nod in the decisive goal to give Rosenior the ideal start to life in the competition.
More to come…