Caicedo’s late strike powers Chelsea past stubborn Pafos

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Chelsea edged closer to qualification in the UEFA Champions League league phase after grinding out a 1-0 victory over Pafos on Wednesday night, in a contest defined by sustained pressure, missed chances and decisive goalkeeping.

The Round 7 encounter saw Chelsea dominate possession and territory for long spells but struggle to convert control into goals, with Pafos goalkeeper Jay Gorter producing a string of outstanding saves to keep the scoreline level deep into the second half.

Chelsea thought they had taken the lead in the 18th minute through Enzo Fernandez, only for VAR to rule out the effort for an infringement in the build-up.

Undeterred, the home side continued to pile on the pressure, creating several clear chances through Fernandez, Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho, all of whom were denied by last-ditch defending or Gorter’s reflexes.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute when Moises Caicedo reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the six-yard box, guiding a header inside the left post to give Chelsea a deserved lead.

Pafos, managed by Albert Celades, threatened late on and nearly snatched an equaliser in stoppage time when Landry Dimata fired goalward, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez produced a superb save to preserve the clean sheet.