Paris St-Germain 3 Chelsea 1
An injury-time goal by Javier Pastore left Chelsea needing a stirring second-leg comeback if they are to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
They went behind to Ezequiel Lavezzi’s early strike but recovered well, with Eden Hazard equalising with a 27th-minute penalty and then hitting the woodwork.
Paris St-Germain appeared to run out of ideas and Chelsea seemed comfortable before the French side’s lead was restored by a David Luiz own goal just after the hour mark.
Nevertheless, the Blues looked well placed to win the quarter-final tie before Pastore fired past Petr Cech at the keeper’s near post.
Jose Mourinho’s team, who started without a recognised striker after Fernando Torres was named among the substitutes, found themselves behind in the fourth minute.
John Terry’s weak header dropped to Lavezzi and the Argentine scored with a classy half-volley from 10 yards out.
But the visitors responded strongly and Hazard levelled from the spot – his 17th goal of the season – after Thiago Silva brought down Oscar.
Having made such a strong start, PSG faded and struggled to get strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani into the game.
And Hazard almost put his side ahead with a stunning left-footed volley against the post after the Belgian had been found by Willian.
As Cavani – who appealed in vain for a penalty following a challenge from Gary Cahill moments before the interval – and particularly Ibrahimovic failed to make an impact, Lavezzi was PSG’s main attacking threat.
Lavezzi fired narrowly over early in the second half and delivered a wicked left-wing free-kick that was deflected in from close range by the unfortunate Luiz.
Chelsea’s prospects ahead of next week’s second leg looked very promising, especially when a fierce strike from Cavani flashed inches wide.
They will be without Ramires for that return leg after the Brazilian was yellow-carded following a first-half foul on Lavezzi.
And Ibrahimovic looks a doubt for the game at Stamford Bridge after limping off with an apparent hamstring problem on 68 minutes.
But PSG may not need their Swedish talisman next week, because Pastore’s goal in the final seconds means Chelsea must now score twice at the Bridge to have any chance of going through.
Pastore took advantage of some shoddy defending, getting the better of Cesar Azpilicueta, Frank Lampard and Terry before trying his luck with a shot which Cech failed to keep out.
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Luiz; Willian, Oscar (Lampard 71), Hazard; Schurrle (Torres 60).
Subs not used: Schwarzer, Kalas, Ake, Mikel, Ba.
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This post was last modified on 03/04/2014