Cavani gives PSG first-leg win over Chelsea

Paris St-Germain 2 Chelsea 1

Edinson Cavani’s 78th-minute goal left Paris St-Germain with a slender advantage after the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie.

John Mikel Obi’s goal – only his sixth for Chelsea in almost 10 years at the club – hauled the Blues level after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s deflected free-kick.

But Cavani, on as a substitute, restored his team’s lead by scoring from a tight angle after collecting Angel di Maria’s chipped pass.

Chelsea went behind five minutes before the interval when Ibrahimovic’s strike hit Mikel – who conceded the free-kick with a needless foul on Lucas Moura – and wrongfooted Thibaut Courtois.

Mikel redeemed himself on the stroke of half-time by firing home from six yards out after Diego Costa had flicked on Willian’s corner.

Blues keeper Courtois produced vital second-half saves to ensure his side will go into the second leg at Stamford Bridge on 9 March with a great chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

But they will start that match needing to score in order to progress, after suffering their first defeat since interim manager Guus Hiddink took charge.

The Premier League champions were on the back foot in the opening 20 minutes as PSG dominated possession – Marco Verratti’s 25-yard effort was parried by Courtois and Lucas’ shot flashed wide of his post.

With Chelsea skipper John Terry and Kurt Zouma out injured, Branislav Ivanovic was moved into the centre of defence with Cesar Azpilicueta switching to right-back and Baba Rahman coming in at left-back.

Azpilicueta produced a fine challenge to deny Lucas inside the penalty area as the hosts continued to press early on.

But for all their possession, PSG struggled to create clear-cut chances before Costa almost put the visitors ahead when his header from Baba’s cross was tipped on to the bar by keeper Kevin Trapp.

At the other end, Ibrahimovic made a mess of a great chance just after the half-hour mark when Lucas’ right-wing cross found him unmarked and he could only head the ball into the ground and up into Courtois’ arms.

The Swedish striker enjoyed a slice of good fortune when the French side took the lead, but his goal was cancelled out by Mikel in the final seconds of the first half.

Trapp saved with his legs to prevent Costa putting Chelsea in front soon after the restart after the striker had been beautifully set up by Willian.

However, Chelsea were back on the defensive for most of the second half and Courtois produced saves to deny Di Maria, Ibrahimovic, Maxwell and the excellent Lucas.

The Belgian could then arguably have done better for Cavani’s goal, but he produced another important stop in injury time to save from Ibrahimovic at point-blank range.