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Edinson Cavani's late winner hands PSG advantage

Edinson Cavani's late minute winner gives Paris Saint-Germain a slender advantage ahead of t...



Edinson Cavani's late winn...
Soccer

Edinson Cavani's late winner hands PSG advantage

Edinson Cavani's late minute winner gives Paris Saint-Germain a slender advantage ahead of their last 16 second-leg tie with Chelsea.

The visitors spent the majority of tonight's game camped in their own half, with the attacking exploits of Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti and  Lucas Moura proving troublesome all night.

John-Obi Mikel gives Chelsea a lifeline, his effort on the stroke of half time gave the visitors a priceless away goal. 

PSG set their stall out from the start, Lucas Moura driving at the Chelsea defence in the opening minute.

Thibaut Courtois was forced to make a good save from Verratti in the opening minutes, before Lucas Moura had a shot blocked just minutes later.

Chelsea did have potential on the break with Willian, Pedro and Eden Hazard all offering outlets before Diego Costa had the best chance of the opening exchanges.

The Spaniard met Mikel's deep cross into the box and headed back across goal, before PSG goalkeeper, Kevin Trapp, waved a hand at it to tip it over the bar.

It was the home side who would break the deadlock on 39 minutes.

PSG talisman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, lined up his freekick from the edge of the box and his effort deflected off John-Obi Mikel and past a helpless Thibaut Courtois.

The goal had been coming for some time, up to that point Laurent Blanc's side had dominated possession and had the most chances.

But as with Costa's chance down the other end, Chelsea proved they didn't need to dominate possession to get on the scoresheet.

Costa this time turned provider by flicking a corner on and Mikel controlled the ball with his thigh just outside the six-yard box, before firing past Trapp.

 

John-Obi Mikel levels proceedings at the Parc des Princes. Image: Adam Davy / EMPICS Sport

The second half began much the same way the first did. PSG's crisp passing was rarely interrupted and they enjoyed a period of dominance down the left channel, where time and again Di Maria would slip in behind Cesar Azpilicueta.

To their detriment, the crossing was not of the highest quality, on more than one occasion a low driven ball failed to beat the first man.

Blanc's side resisted the urge to go more direct and launch balls at Ibrahimovic in their desperation, instead continuing with the incisive build-up play and in the dying minutes they were rewarded.

Substitute Edinson Cavani slipped in behind the Chelsea back line before controlling a beautifully weighted pass and kept his strike low, beneath the on-rushing Courtois.

Pedro had a late chance to level things up in the dying minutes, but his effort hit the side netting.

A fair result, with Guus Hiddink's men lucky they didn't concede a third when Courtois denied Ibrahimovic a third goal fo rthe home side.

The pair will now have to do it all again at Stamford Bridge on March 9, with PSG holding a one-goal advantage but Chelsea remain in the tie thanks to an all-important away goal.

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