Chelsea beat Champions League minnows Pafos to keep their hopes alive of finishing in the top eight – but it took 77 minutes to break down the Cypriot side through Moises Caicedo’s diving header.
The £115m midfielder reacted quickest to Pedro Neto’s corner after it flicked off Pafos substitute Nany Dimata, pouncing to head home from close range.
It had threatened to be an embarrassing evening for Chelsea against the competition debutants.
In boss Liam Rosenior’s first Champions League match – and his fourth in charge of Chelsea – his side were left frustrated when Enzo Fernandez thought he had put them in front in the 17th minute, only for his header to be harshly ruled out for a push on Derrick Luckassen.
Yet moments earlier, Pafos had launched an incisive counter‑attack that ended with Jaja hitting the post after the ball deflected off Reece James’ hand inside the box, sparking shouts for a penalty.
Just before half-time, Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato failed to beat inspired Pafos goalkeeper Jay Gorter from close range.
Exciting teenage attacker Estevao Willian replaced James at the break, and seven minutes later volleyed a sensational first‑time effort that lifted the crowd before Caicedo eventually found the breakthrough.
Chelsea likely need to beat Napoli away on the final day to finish in the top eight and avoid two play‑off matches in the 36‑team league phase.
