Chelsea secured a narrow but vital victory over Champions League newcomers Pafos, staying in the race for a top-eight finish thanks to a late intervention from midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Despite enjoying overwhelming possession for most of the contest, the Blues were made to work hard by the well-organised Cypriot champions and only found the decisive breakthrough late in the second half.
The crucial moment arrived in the 77th minute when Caicedo rose highest to meet a Pedro Neto corner, reacting fastest after the ball glanced off substitute Nany Dimata to head home from close range.
Early dominance, little reward
Chelsea started the game on the front foot and pinned Pafos deep in their own half, but clear-cut chances were hard to come by as the visitors defended in numbers.
Enzo Fernandez thought he had given the hosts an early lead in the 17th minute with a header, only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul on Derrick Luckassen, a decision that sparked frustration among the home fans.
The disallowed goal seemed to unsettle Chelsea, and moments later Pafos nearly stunned the crowd with a swift counter-attack.
Jaja struck the post after a deflection off Reece James’ hand inside the box, leading to loud penalty appeals from the visitors that were waved away by the referee.
Chelsea continued to apply pressure but lacked sharpness in the final third, with Jorrel Hato missing a golden opportunity just before the break, denied by an excellent save from goalkeeper Jay Gorter.
Second-half changes raise tempo
Head coach Liam Rosenior made adjustments at half-time, introducing teenage winger Estevao Willian in a bid to inject more energy and creativity into the attack.
The Brazilian youngster made an immediate impact with a first-time volley that lifted the crowd, yet Pafos remained resilient and difficult to break down.
As the minutes ticked away, the pressure mounted on Chelsea to find a winner and avoid an embarrassing stalemate in Rosenior’s first Champions League outing as head coach.
Caicedo delivers late relief
Relief finally arrived when Caicedo capitalised on a set-piece, nodding home the decisive goal and sparking celebrations at Stamford Bridge.
The late strike ensured Chelsea collected all three points and remain firmly in contention for a top-eight finish in the group standings.
However, qualification is far from secure, with the Blues likely needing a positive result away to Napoli on the final matchday to avoid the February play-off round.
Looking ahead
Despite the vast difference in squad value — with Chelsea’s team valued at over £1bn compared to Pafos’ estimated £26m — the visitors executed their defensive game plan effectively for long periods.
While the performance may not fully satisfy Rosenior, the result was crucial in preventing a damaging setback at a critical stage of the campaign.
With Napoli also chasing qualification, Chelsea now face a decisive showdown in Italy, a match that could define their Champions League journey and set the tone for the remainder of the season under their new manager.