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Chelsea will return to Stamford Bridge with their hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals still alive after scoring what could be a crucial away goal at the Parc des Princes in the 2-1 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain .
PSG strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Canai – introduced from the substitutes’ bench after replacing Lucas Moura – ensured the Parisian club will head to London with a slender advantage, but John Obi Mikel’s fifth goal for the Blues means that Chelsea may just have an ace up their sleeve.
Chelsea and PSG have met in the Champions League knockout stages in the past two years, and on both occasions the winners were determined by an away goal – the Blues going through after a 3-3 draw in 2014 only for PSG to reverse the result in their favour last season.
It’s for that reason that Chelsea can genuinely believe they can upset the odds and knock the runaway Ligue 1 leaders out of the Champions League, despite the Blues going through their worst season under the ownership of Roman Abramovich.
So what do Chelsea need in the return leg? A simple 1-0 victory will be enough to book Chelsea’s place in the quarter-finals, given they will go through on the away goals rule.
Any win of two goals or more will also be enough to see the Blues into the last eight.
A 2-1 victory for Chelsea will see the tie go to extra-time and, if needed, a penalty shootout.Last season’s encounter saw Eden Hazard convert a penalty in the 96th minute only for Thiago Silva to head PSG into the quarter-finals with a 114th-minute winner.
Show all 24 1 /24PSG vs Chelsea player ratings PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Kevin Trapp - 7 out of 10 Was in fine form, much like Courtois down the other end, and the PSG goalkeeper made several crucial saves - first when he parried Costa's header onto the bar and then when he denied the Chelsea striker in the second half. Will feel he could have done more to keep out Mikel's goal, but an impressive showing nevertheless.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Marquinhos - 6 out of 10 Started at right back in place of Serge Aurier who was suspended by PSG on Monday, and the defender made some good clearances in the game. However, he failed to pressurise Mikel enough just before the midfielder equalised but this was still a good performance from the in-demand defender.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Thiago Silva - 6 out of 10 The PSG captain was stalwart throughout the match, although him and Luiz suffered a few nervy moments when Chelsea went on the attack. But he marshalled his back line well.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings David Luiz - 6 out of 10 Hardly had anything to do for most of the first half, with Chelsea being kept at bay, but he then left Mikel completely unmarked for his goal during a corner kick.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Maxwell - 6 out of 10 Kept Pedro quiet early at the back while going forward and helping in PSG's attacks, namely, when he latched onto Matuidi's pass and forced Courtois into a save.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Marco Verratti - 6 out of 10 Was bright and provided a lot of pace to PSG's attacks, but couldn't quite create a clear-cut chance for his side although he did nearly score with his effort that was saved by Courtois
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Thiago Motta - 5 out of 10 Kept the likes of Fabregas relatively quiet while making some good clearances but failed to keep a lid on Willian, who ran riot on several occasions.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Blaise Matuidi - 6 out of 10 Had an impressive game, playing in Maxwell for an early chance while tracking back and defending when needed.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Angel Di Maria - 6 out of 10 The Argentine continues to impress following his move from Manchester United to PSG last summer, and his pace caused Chelsea lots of trouble time and time again. He could have put himself on the scoresheet but fired wide. An impressive performance from the winger.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 7 out of 10 Making his 115th Champions League appearance, the striker used his strength to hold the ball up well early on but, after receiving a yellow card for a late tackle on Mikel, he then disappointingly sent his free kick wide. He should have scored. He then awkwardly headed Marquinhos' cross onto the pitch and over the bar with space, but he made amends for his miss when he scored with a free kick just before the break.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Lucas Moura - 7 out of 10 Was on the pitch for 70 minutes and enjoyed a fine game as he caused Baba Rahman so many problems with his forays forward.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Edinson Cavani - 8 out of 10 Came on for Lucas Moura late on in the second half and made an instant impact after he scored the winner with a fine strike. The goal means the Uruguay star has now scored three goals against Chelsea.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Thibaut Courtois - 6 out of 10 Was absolutely superb for most of the the game, saving numerous efforts from the hosts although he couldn't do too much about PSG's opener after it took a huge deflection off Mikel. Will feel he let himself down, though, after rushing out to try and stop Cavani's late effort - but failing.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Cesar Azpilicueta - 6 out of 10 Endured a few problems up against the pace of Lucas Moura but, on the whole, was solid - exemplified by when he magnificently outran the Brazilian to clear the danger with Moura through on goal.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Gary Cahill - 7 out of 10 Starting as Chelsea's only first-choice centre-back, the defender managed to withstand the early pressure from the hosts with some fine last-ditch tackles and clearances. Showed once again, why he deserves to be a first-choice option in central defence for the Blues.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Branislav Ivanovic - 6 out of 10 The Serbia international captained the side in the absence of the injured John Terry and played in the unfamiliar central defensive position, but did well despite the amount of pressure PSG applied. Should have kept a closer eye on Cavani in the build-up to the winner, though.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Baba Rahman - 5 out of 10 Defended well on the most part, but endured problems dealing with the sheer pace of Lucas Moura and Di Maria. However, as has been the case since he arrived at Chelsea, the left-back impressed going forward and it was Baba Rahman who provided the cross from which Costa nearly scored.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings John Obi Mikel - 6 out of 10 Initially stuggled to deal with the pace and pressure from PSG in midfield, and it saw him receive a yellow card for a foul on Lucas Moura. He then needlessly gave away a free kick from which Ibrahimovic scored - after it deflected off Mikel's leg - but he made amends with his header on the stroke of half time.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Cesc Fabregas - 5 out of 10 Tried to get involved in Chelsea's attacks, but was marked well by the likes of Motta. However, it was his run forward just before the break that forced the corner kick from which Mikel scored.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Pedro - 5 out of 10 Endured a quiet first 45 minutes at the Parc des Princes following on from his scintillating performance against Newcastle United, but did well to defend when needed. Was booked for a high boot to Verratti.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Willian - 6 out of 10 After scoring at the weekend, the Brazilian was involved in many of Chelsea's best attacks going forward before he delivered the corner from which Mikel scored. His understanding with the likes of Costa shows why he is an important member of this team.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Eden Hazard - 5 out of 10 An ultimately disappointing showing from the Belgian as he failed to make an impact against a side, who he has been linked to numerous times and a team he himself talked up joining this week. Was hauled off with 20 minutes to go and replaced by Oscar.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Diego Costa - 6 out of 10 Opened up the game in quiet fashion, but the striker should then have scored but saw his fine header parried onto the bar by Trapp. Still, his presence in the box took the attention of two PSG players which left Mikel free to score although he will be expected to have a greater impact in the second leg.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Oscar - 5 out of 10 Replaced Hazard with 20 minutes to go but wasted a glorious late chance to score a crucial away goal when he fired at Trapp.
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A draw or defeat will see Chelsea knocked out of the Champions League.
A win by just one goal with PSG scoring more than one away goal will also eliminate the Blues
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