Chelsea Lose First Game In Hiddink’s New Reign, Beaten 2-1 By PSG

PSG is unbeaten in domestic competition since March and in all competitions since November – a run of 23 games.

Struggling striker Edinson Cavani came off the bench to score the winner as Paris Saint-Germain beat Chelsea 2-1 in a pulsating first leg in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday.

Cavani, who has lost his place in the side in recent weeks, latched onto a superb pass over Chelsea’s stretched defense from winger Angel Di Maria and slotted through the legs of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from a narrow angle in the 78th minute.

I’m happy for Eddy. I’ve said it often, because people doubt his scoring abilities, but he’s always shown he can score goals. He was going through a very difficult period and I hope that scoring this goal gives him his confidence back.

Laurent Blanc, PSG coach

Zlatan Ibrahimovic put PSG ahead with a powerful free-kick in the 39th minute, only for Chelsea to level on the stroke of halftime with a rare goal from midfielder John Obi Mikel.

PSG is unbeaten in domestic competition since March and in all competitions since a 1-0 reverse away to Real Madrid in the group stage on Nov. 3 — a run of 23 games.

This was also Chelsea’s first defeat in 13 games since Dutchman Guus Hiddink took over from the sacked Jose Mourinho.

The return leg is at Stamford Bridge on March 9.

With Chelsea’s inspirational captain John Terry ruled out with a hamstring injury, Branislav Ivanovic started in central defence and wore the skipper’s armband.

Marco Verratti started for PSG having just recovered from a groin injury, while Blanc chose to field Marquinhos on the right of defence in place of Aurier.

PSG pressed high up the pitch from the start and Verratti forced Courtois into a good early save with a fierce, low 20-metre shot.

The home side enjoyed plenty of possession as they imposed themselves on the game but Chelsea were tight in defence.

The defeat is never a nice feeling but it’s a two-leg game and scoring away is always good. We can emphasise good defensive organisation. Bear in mind you play a very strong team when you see what they can bring in in the second half, they’re world class players. The performance of our players was tactically very good we could have been a little more lethal on our counter attacks.

Guus Hiddink, Chelsea’s interim coach

Swedish striker Ibrahimovic, who was sent off last year in the second leg of the last 16 tie, was shown a yellow card in the 19th minute for treading on Obi Mikel’s ankle.

Chelsea had the best chance midway through the first half when striker Diego Costa’s header from point-blank range was instinctively palmed on to the bar by PSG keeper Kevin Trapp.

Ibrahimovic broke the deadlock six minutes before halftime with a low free kick that was deflected past the wrongfooted Courtois by the heel of Obi Mikel, who had fouled Lucas.

But Chelsea hit back in added time before the interval when Costa deflected a corner kick into the path of Mikel, who controlled the ball before firing home his first goal in 14 months and only his second ever in the competition.

PSG, who had not conceded at home in the Champions League this season, resumed their domination after the break with Angel Di Maria’s free kick parried away by Courtois in the 65th minute as the visitors held firm, hoping to catch PSG on the break.

Lucas was replaced in the 72nd by Cavani after another performance by the Brazilian in which he showed his skills but not the required finishing of a goalscorer.

The substitute had an immediate impact, collecting Di Maria’s perfect pass on the right and scoring with a low angled shot through the legs of Courtois after evading Ivanovic.

(With inputs from AP and Reuters)