MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 11:08:35| >> :120:4207:4207:
[monks data]
Chelsea logo
Champions League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 8, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
PSG logo

2-0

Schurrle (32'), Ba (87')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Chelsea 2-0 (3-3) Paris Saint-Germain - as it happened

Relive Chelsea's historic Champions League comeback as they win 2-0 on the night to progress past PSG and into the semi-finals on away goals.
2

Chelsea produced another memorable European comeback to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals with an away-goals victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

The hosts got one of the two required goals in the first half when Andre Schurrle steered his effort past the keeper after David Luiz had flicked the ball on.

Schurrle and Oscar both hit the woodwork in the second half, but their luck changed in the 87th minute as the ball deflected into the path of Demba Ba, who swept it home from close range to seal a dramatic aggregate victory for his side.

You can read how an enthralling night of Champions League football unfolded with Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage of the match below.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what is a huge night of Champions League football as Chelsea look to overhaul their first-leg deficit against Paris Saint-Germain. The hosts need at least two goals to progress, while PSG are by no means a defensive outfit, so we should have an entertaining encounter on our hands! Let's start by looking at Chelsea...

The hosts will certainly come into this match with a bit more belief than they did in the first leg last week. Travelling to Paris, the Blues had just been beaten 1-0 by lowly Crystal Palace, a result that dealt a massive blow to their Premier League title race. However, after back-to-back defeats, they got back to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over Stoke at the weekend that just about kept them in with a shout of winning the title, although they are now third favourites.

There is no doubt that PSG are an entirely different proposition to Stoke, but Mourinho himself acknowledged how important it was for his side not to fall to a third consecutive defeat going into tonight's game. Belief will have been raised throughout the squad, with Mourinho publicly declaring that he thinks his side will progress - in contrast to his defeatist view towards the Premier League title race - and another 3-0 win tonight would indeed put them into the last four.

The victory at the weekend will also reaffirm their air of invincibility at home, which could prove vital tonight. Having the second leg at home is always a plus in the Champions League, particularly when you have as good a record in front of your own fans as Chelsea do. The 3-0 victory over Stoke made it six wins in a row at Stamford Bridge, while they are unbeaten in their last 19.

Indeed, they have only been beaten once at Stamford Bridge in all competitions this season. That defeat did come in this competition, however, as Basel produced a shock victory to hand Jose Mourinho just his second home defeat in Europe in his two spells in charge of Chelsea.

While Chelsea are in desperate need of goals tonight, Mourinho has also highlighted the importance of keeping a clean sheet to make their task as simple and straightforward as possible. That will not be easy against a side with the attacking wealth of PSG, but the hosts certainly have a formidable recent defensive record in front of their own fans. They have kept clean sheets in their last eight matches at Stamford Bridge, not conceding a home goal since their 3-1 victory over Manchester United on January 19.

However, it is also worth noting that they have only kept a clean sheet in two of their previous 17 Champions League quarter-final matches. They have not conceded in their last three matches at Stamford Bridge in this competition, but let in more goals in the first leg of this tie than they had in their previous seven Champions League games this season.

Overturning a two-goal deficit in the Champions League does not happen often, but Chelsea are one of the two teams to have done it successfully. As recently as 2012, they beat Napoli 4-1 after extra time at Stamford Bridge having lost the first leg 3-1 in Naples. Ezequiel Lavezzi, who was Sports Mole's man of the match in last week's first leg, also terrorised Chelsea in the first leg of that last 16 tie, so could he experience a piece of deja vu tonight? Blues fans will not need reminding that they went on to win the competition that year, beating Bayern Munich in the final on penalties.

This PSG side poses an even bigger threat than that Napoli team did, however. The Ligue 1 champions are cruising in domestic competition this season, with a second consecutive title a mere formality now as they lead second-placed Monaco by 13 points with just six games remaining. The next big step for the mega-rich club is progress in Europe, and they have one foot in the semi-finals at the moment.

With Chelsea so in need of goals this season, PSG's defence could well face a bit of a test. It is arguably the weakest part of their side, but their record in the league this season certainly suggests that the hosts will find it tough to breach them at least twice. PSG have conceded just 18 goals all season, including just four in their last 11 matches.

Those last 11 matches have all resulted in PSG victories, making them Europe's in-form team at the moment. The French league is, arguably, less competitive than other around the continent, but to win 11 on the bounce - in all competitions, don't forget, is an achievement that any club would be proud of. Unsurprisingly, it is already a club record, and if they can extend that tonight then they will go through to the semi-finals in emphatic fashion. Their unbeaten run stretches back 15 matches.

PSG are unlikely to go all out attack in this match as they simply don't need to. However, it is also not their style to park the bus, so Chelsea will face a tricky test to keep the French club at bay tonight. Even without the 40-goal talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is out with a hamstring injury sustained in the first leg, they have the likes of Cavani, Lavezzi and Lucas Moura to threaten the Chelsea defence.

They are comfortably the top scorers in Ligue 1 this season having netted 74 times in their 32 games - a whopping 21 more goals than Monaco, who are the next highest scorers. Getting the first goal tonight could well kill Chelsea off, but a goal at any time will certainly make the hosts' task a whole lot harder. They have only failed to score in a match once since March 2, 2013 - a run that stretches back 62 matches in all competitions.

Away from home they are impressive too. They are unbeaten on the road since a December defeat to Benfica, while they have won their last five, keeping four clean sheets in the process. In the Champions League, that loss to Benfica is the only won in their last eight continental away games, while their last one saw them thrash Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 in Germany.

Defeats, then, are very rare for this PSG team. What is even more unusual is for them to lose by the two-goal margin Chelsea require this evening. They have not lost by two goals in an Champion League away game since CSKA Moscow triumphed 2-0 back in 2004 - although PSG's lengthy absence from the competition has played a part in that. More recently, however, they have only lost by two goals once in more than two years.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the teams are in for both sides, and the big news from the Chelsea camp is that Samuel Eto'o returns after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Torres drops to the bench, while David Luiz, Eden Hazard and Oscar are all restored to the starting lineup. PSG, meanwhile, are without Ibrahimovic and bring Lucas in, as expected. Gregory van der Wiel os only fit enough for a place on the bench despite returning from injury on Saturday, while Christophe Jallet returning to right-back.

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Luiz, Lampard; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto'o

CHELSEA SUBS: Schwarzer, Cole, Kalas, Mikel, Schurrle, Ba, Torres

PSG STARTING XI: Sirigu; Jallet, Alex, T Silva, Maxwell; Verratti, Motta, Matuidi; Lucas, Cavani, Lavezzi

PSG SUBS: Douchez, Marquinhos, Digne, Van der Wiel, Cabaye, Menez, Pastore

So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, first of all it is no surprise to see Eto'o returning to the starting lineup. Mourinho named a side without a recognised striker for the first leg and it simply didn't work as they struggled to create chances that Schurrle - who was deployed as the furthest forward - could finish. Eto'o may not quite be 100%, but it is worth the risk to play him in such a big game, particularly with Torres once again struggling for form.

Chelsea's chances tonight could well depend on the three behind Eto'o as they look to break down the PSG defence enough times to get the required margin of victory. Hazard in particular will be important as he looks to take on Jallet, who is not PSG's first choice right-back. He coped fairly well in the first leg, but with Hazard having had a rest of sorts at the weekend, only appearing off the bench, and being in front of his own fans, you'd expect an improved performance from the Belgian tonight.

The rest of the midfield pretty much picked itself for Mourinho. There was no Ramires to call upon due to suspension, while Matic is ineligible, meaning that Luiz and Lampard fill in the gaps. Luiz scored an unfortunate own goal in the first leg so will be keen to make up for that tonight, while the experience that Lampard provides could prove to be important. Lampard, and to a lesser extent Luiz, also provides a goal threat from deep as well, which is a valuable commodity to have when goals are of the essence as they are tonight.

There are also plenty of goals at the back for Chelsea with the likes of Ivanovic, Cahill and Terry. However, their main task tonight will be to keep the dangerous PSG attack at bay, and they will be hoping that they do it better than they managed last week. All of PSG's goals had an element of poor defending about them in the first leg, and similar gifts tonight could see Chelsea go crashing out in unceremonious fashion.

That Chelsea defence comes up against a PSG attack that is severely weakened yet still dangerous enough to really damage the Blues. The loss of a player as good as Ibrahimovic is a big blow for the visitors, but it could actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Cavani, who we expect to move into a central role rather than out wide, is a clever football with a good idea of his defensive duties, so he will close the Chelsea defenders down better than Ibrahimovic would have. With the lead they have, that is more important than scoring themselves.

They are more than capable of scoring themselves, of course. Lavezzi was superb last week, scoring the opener and forcing the own goal with a fine free kick. He and Cavani will cause problems, while Lucas Moura's electric pace on the wing will also trouble Azpilicueta, who had an unpleasant taste of it when Moura made an exciting cameo in the first leg. The midfield showed signs of weakness at the Parc des Princes and often dwelled on the ball for too long, apart from Thiago Motta who played an important role in the middle of the park.

It is the defence that is arguably the most important unit for PSG tonight, however. Quite simply, if they can keep Chelsea at bay, they will be in the semi-finals. Alex, against his former club, is prone to the odd error, but there aren't many better at reading the play and covering than Thiago Silva - despite his mistake to give away the penalty in the first leg. A key battle will be Hazard vs. Jallet, and the French full-back will need to be at his best to stop the Belgian tonight. Cavani gave him great cover in the first leg, and he will need similar from Lucas.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff at Stamford Bridge, which means that it is time for my match prediction! This really is an intriguing one tonight and I can see it going either way. Despite Chelsea's fine recent defensive record at home, I don't think they will be able to stop PSG from scoring, but it is also impossible to rule out Chelsea scoring three themselves. They did, after all, thrash Arsenal 6-0 here not too long ago. I'm going to go for a 3-2 win on the night for Chelsea, so PSG to go through, but it really could go either way.

A clean sheet would be a huge step towards overcoming the challenge in front of Chelsea tonight, and they have a good record against French clubs in that regard. They have faced French opposition five times at Stamford Bridge and kept a clean sheet in four of those matches.

PSG failed to score past the Blues in both of their group stage matches in 2004, but they have found the net in each of their last 17 Champions League matches. It will certainly be no easy task keeping them out again tonight, particularly as Chelsea are likely to leave holes at the back as they go forward in search of the goals they need.

The other quarter-final second leg on offer for you tonight is Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid, and Dortmund have an even bigger task than Chelsea in that match. They lost 3-0 in the first leg so have a huge deficit to overhaul. I will also keep you up to date with major events from that match as and when they happen.

Right, the teams are out and the crowd are ready for what should be a cracking match between two of the world's richest clubs. PSG had the luxury of resting eight players at the weekend, so they should be nice and fresh for this match. Chelsea need to attack and PSG will look to hit them on the break, so I am expecting an action-packed 90 minutes - maybe more.

KICKOFF: Chelsea get us underway on a lovely spring evening in West London. Perfect conditions for what should be a great match. Here we go, a two-goal margin is what Chelsea need.

Well, the hosts have done better than they managed in the first leg. They were 1-0 down early on in Paris, but have made a much more solid start tonight. It has been an even first few minutes, with PSG not afraid to play football from the back.

From PSG's point of view, failing to progress through to the semis tonight would be a major disappointment. Not only would they have blown a fairly commanding lead, but it would prove that they haven't yet made the step up to Champions League level. That is the big test for this side having conquered French football. They were unlucky to go out to Barcelona at this stage last season, so will be desperate to go one better here.

Chelsea have an early free kick in a good position, but it is a waste from Lampard. His delivery is low and Ivanovic can't flick it into a dangerous area as PSG clear. I'd have expected Lampard to swing that in towards the back post, similar to what Lavezzi did for the Chelsea won goal last week.

Lampard gives the ball away in midfield and fouls Lucas in his attempts to win the ball back. The hosts have made a few early fouls here, and Terry is already having a long word with the ref.

They may have fallen foul of referee Pedro Proenca a couple of times already, but they will be hoping that his presence is a good omen tonight. The Portuguese official was in charge of the 2012 final when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich on penalties.

Good play from Oscar down the left as he fakes a cross to leave three PSG players on the floor inside the box. He then picks out Eto'o, but he can't poke it goalwards in a crowded area as the ball goes behind for a corner.

The ball is chipped through to Lavezzi, who slides the ball beyond Cech despite the flag being up and whistle having been blown. The Chelsea players immediately appeal for a yellow card for kicking the ball away, but the ref shows some common sense and ignores their appeals.

Dodgy moment for Sirigu as the ball is passed back to him with Eto'o in close attendance. The keeper tries to take it past the striker, just poking the ball enough to draw a foul. That was risky play from the Italian!

Superb from Lavezzi as he shows his pace to get past one man and then skip beyond another. He plays the reverse pass towards Maxwell on the left, but the full-back's low delivery is cleared by a combination of Terry and Cech.

This has been a good start from PSG, who are seeing enough of the ball to prevent Chelsea from getting any real momentum behind them. Still no chances for either side, but it is the visitors who look slightly more dangerous on the break.

CHELSEA SUB: What a huge blow this is for Chelsea. Hazard, who was earmarked as a potential tie-winner here, is forced off after less than 20 minutes with an injury, being replaced by Andre Schurrle.

Schurrle was, of course, the man employed in the striker's role in the first leg and he failed to make much of an impact. He certainly knows where the goal is and can be a threat, but there is no hiding the fact that losing Hazard is a big blow to Chelsea's chances. He is their top scorer and best creative force, so naturally he will be missed by the hosts.

Things are looking very comfortable for PSG at the moment. They have a certain degree of control over the match and don't look any less assured of their style at Stamford Bridge as they did at the Parc des Princes. So far, so good for Laurent Blanc's side.

YELLOW CARD! Lucas is just too fast for Chelsea to handle. He skips inside and pokes the ball past Willian, who lunges in with a sliding tackle that earns him a deserved yellow card. More worryingly for Chelsea, PSG have a free kick in a very dangerous position.

After a long build up it is Cavani who goes for goal from the free kick, but it is a poor effort as he puts a rather tame strike into the wall.

YELLOW CARD! Marco Verratti becomes the second player in the book for an untidy challenge on Oscar that saw him drag the Brazilian to the floor. Chelsea now have a free kick in a good crossing position.

GREAT SAVE! Superb stop from Sirigu as Lampard's free kick deflects off the wall and flies towards the near post rather than the far-post delivery that the whole ground was expecting. The Italian keeper reacts brilliantly, throwing himself to his right to produce a one-handed save.

SAVE! Sirigu is called into action again as David Luiz lets fly from range. His effort isn't the most powerful he has ever struck, but it bounces awkwardly in front of the keeper, who holds on to it well.

UPDATE: Could a comeback be on in Germany? Dortmund have pulled a goal back against Madrid through Marco Reus, making it 3-1 on aggregate to the Spanish giants with plenty of time to go.

Eto'o tries to work space to shoot from range and eventually gets an effort away, but it is well blocked and loops up into the arms of Sirigu with Oscar sniffing around for any scraps.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 PSG (Andre Schurrle)

Chelsea have the lead on the night, and it is the sub that has done it! A long throw is flicked on by Luiz and Schurrle has peeled away from his man to guide a well-controlled finish into the bottom corner. The PSG defence were statuesque there! Huge moment in this tie.

PENALTY SHOUT! Schurrle again threatens as he runs unto the box before cutting inside onto his right foot. He goes down under a clumsy-looking challenge from Verratti, but the referee is perfectly placed and says no. There was contact, and I have seen them given, but that is a good decision from the ref.

Just in case you need reminding, one more goal will do it for Chelsea as long as they don't concede. Suddenly 2-0 doesn't seem so far away as the crowd respond to that opening goal by cranking up the volume levels. The hosts are very much on top now. PSG are a little rattled.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Chelsea to get a second goal! Lampard puts a free kick into the box and PSG can't quite deal with it. The ball drops perfectly for Cahill in a great position, but he sees his name in lights and lashes at the ball, slicing it horribly wide.

That is a nasty one from Eto'o who went into a challenge with Silva with his studs raised. He brought them down on the ankle of Silva, who won the ball with a good sliding tackle. That looked painful, and Silva appears to be in a lot of pain. No free kick was given, but the ref has since stopped play.

UPDATE: Things are getting extremely interesting in Germany where Dortmund have got a second goal against Real Madrid. It is now 2-0 on the night and 3-2 to Madrid on aggregate - one more goal will do it. Marco Reus got his second of the night.

YELLOW CARD! Cavani goes into the book as he stands in front of a free kick and Luiz blasts the ball into his shins.

YELLOW CARD! Lampard swiftly follows Cavani into the book for a late challenge on Lavezzi. He was never going to get there before the flying winger, and you can be sure that he expected the card to come.

From a PSG point of view, they need to reach half time without conceding again now. They were looking comfortable before the goal but have lost any control they had on the match since going behind. A break will do them good here.

Thiago Motta swings a deep free kick towards the back post where Alex is waiting. He rises well and looks like he will get onto the end of it until Cech sticks out an arm and gets an important fist on the ball.

There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

HALF TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain

We're at the halfway stage of this match and Chelsea are halfway towards the comeback they need to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League. That will go down as a successful opening 45 minutes for the hosts, who have kept the PSG attack at bay and got that all-important goal of their own.

The goal came from Schurrle in the 32nd minute as he remained alert inside the area when all the PSG defenders seemed to have fallen asleep to the danger. It was a nice little finish from the winger, who steered it into the bottom corner after a flick on from David Luiz. Sirigu had no chance in the PSG goal.

Schurrle would not have even been on the pitch but for a big blow for Chelsea as they lost Eden Hazard to injury after less than 20 minutes. It wasn't clear exactly what happened to the Belgian winger, but he was not moving freely and Mourinho had no choice but to take him off. So far, it has proven to be something of a blessing in disguise.

In truth, PSG looked comfortable before the goal. The visitors looked most likely to score and had a good degree of control over the match, but they has struggled to deal with set pieces defensively. The goal stemmed from a long throw into the box, and that is an avenue that Chelsea will looked to explore further in the second half. PSG need to improve when defending those set pieces, but they also need to stop conceding silly free kicks in dangerous areas.

The hosts have had the best chances, however. Lampard drew a fine save from Sirigu with a deflected free kick, while the keeper was called into action again moments later when Luiz went for goal from range. The stop deny Lampard was particularly impressive as everyone was expecting it to go towards the back post, but instead the deflection took it towards the near post.

The biggest chance, apart from the goal, also fell to Chelsea. The ball broke for Cahill five minutes after the hosts had taken the lead, but the England centre-back lashed at his effort and sliced a glorious opportunity well wide of the post. If the hosts don't manage to win by the required margin this evening, they will look back on that as a big missed chance.

As for PSG, they have been disappointing in the final third so far tonight. They are yet to test Cech and seem to be missing the presence of Ibrahimovic. Lavezzi and Lucas have both shown flashes of their quality on the wings, but we are yet to see much of Cavani. Then again, there is still no particular need for them to score tonight - as things stand, they are still going through.

KICKOFF: PSG get us back underway for a huge second half at Stamford Bridge. One more goal without reply will do it for Chelsea - can they do it or will PSG hold on?

Steady start to the half from both sides as they both look to gain the upper hand early on. Half time came at a good time for PSG, who were on the ropes a bit after conceding.

Once again, it is Lavezzi who looks like PSG's most dangerous player. His pace is electric and the close control is unerring as he takes on the Chelsea defence. He still hasn't been able to create a chance tonight, though.

OFF THE BAR! Almost a brilliant second for Chelsea and Schurrle. Some lovely approach play sees Oscar slip a pass inside the full-back for Willian, who is forced a little too wide for his liking but pulls it back to Schurrle on the edge of the box. The sub hits a great first-time shot towards goal, but it cannons back off the bar. So close, and so unlucky!

OFF THE BAR! Unbelievable. Chelsea have just smashed the crossbar again! Eto'o won a free kick moments after Schurrle struck the woodwork, and from it Oscar curls an effort against the bar. It was a fine strike from the Brazilian, but for the second time in as many minutes the hosts are denied by the width of a bar. Lucas Moura was booked for the challenge that led to the free kick.

PSG SUB: The hosts make a change as Verratti goes off to be replaced by Yohan Cabaye, who has experience of this ground from his Newcastle days, of course.

YELLOW CARD! Ivanovic is the latest name in the book for an untidy challenge on Matuidi on the edge of the box. PSG have a free kick in a good crossing position....

SAVE! Lavezzi, who forced a Luiz own goal with a free kick from a similar position in the first leg, curls his strike towards the back post again, but Cech dives to his left and gets a strong hand to it to turn it behind for a corner.

PSG win a corner and it is played towards the front post for Cavani's usual run. The striker gets his head to it this time, but he gets too much on his effort and sends it over the bar.

We're an hour into this second leg and it is perfectly poised. Chelsea are a goal away from taking the lead on aggregate and have already hit the bar twice in the this second half, but PSG are always dangerous on the break with their pace. We're all set for an enthralling final half an hour.

Brave from Terry as he continues to serve his defensive duties when in visible pain, Despite needing to limp back into position, he throws himself in the way of a long-range effort from Lucas, who had beaten a couple of blue shirts to create space to shoot.

PSG have had the more shots in this second half so far, but still they have only tested Cech once in the whole match. A goal would be priceless for them right now, but they are also clearly aware of how damaging conceding a goal would be.

Schurrle is full of confidence as he goes for goal from range, but his shot is blocked. The deflection falls to Cahill, who also looks to shoot from distance, and this time the ball goes off a PSG man and behind for a corner.

CHELSEA SUB: Interesting change for the hosts as Frank Lampard goes off and Demba Ba replaces him. That is obviously an attacking sub from Mourinho, but what must Torres be thinking? Once again he has been snubbed on the big stage.

The ball is floated into the Chelsea are from a free kick and Lucas attacks it really well in the air. Heading is not his strongest point, however, and he puts this one a long way over the top.

SAVE! More good play from Schurrle as cuts inside to latch on to Demba Ba's flicked header. He takes a touch before shooting from the edge of the area, but it bounces up to a decent height for Sirigu, who makes the save.

Chelsea have 20 minutes to find their goal now, and that is when things begin to get a little nervy. They have shown enough signs tonight that they are capable of getting it, but Mourinho will be eager for it to come sooner rather than later.

Luiz sends Oscar free down to left and the midfielder edges into the box, with Jallet backtracking the whole way. Eventually the Brazilian tries to thread the ball into a dangerous area, but Sirigu is there to claim it.

CHANCE! PSG have their best chance of the evening as Ivanovic is caught upfield and Cavani races behind the defence. He is met with a tight angle as he tries to volley it towards the top corner, but he can't keep it down as it goes flying over the top. Cech appeared to have it covered anyway.

PSG SUB: The visitors make another change as the dangerous Lavezzi goes off. He never seems to last the full 90 minutes, no matter how well he is playing. On comes Pastore, who scored what at the moment is the winner in the closing stages of the first leg.

Oscar shapes what looks like a lovely cross into the box towards Ba and Ivanovic at the back post, However, it is just overhit and eludes the blue shirts in the middle as the danger passes.

SHOT! A lofted ball over the top almost releases Cavani, but Ivanovic gets a vital touch to Pastore's pass to take it away from the striker. It falls to Maxwell on the edge, but his volley goes a yard or so past the post.

CHANCE! Huge chance for PSG to put this game to bed. Cabaye sends an exquisite pass over the top for Cavani, who has peeled off the shoulders of the last two defenders. His first touch is good, but he puts his second over the bar when he should have at least worked the keeper. Could that miss come back to haunt the visitors?

YELLOW CARD! Schurrle knocks the ball past Maxwell on the right wing before going down under the full-backs challenge, and the ref pulls out his yellow card to show the PSG defender. Another chance for Chelsea to launch this into the box.

SAVE! Patient play from PSG as they come forward from Chelsea free kick and build an attack. It eventually finds its way to Lucas, who goes for goal from just outside the box. His shot is straight at the keeper, however, and Cech makes the save.

CHELSEA SUB: Mourinho brings on his third striker as Torres finally makes an appearance, replacing Oscar. Can the Spaniard grab a memorable winner late on here?

YELLOW CARD! David Luiz is the latest player in the book having wrestled with Matuidi to prevent him racing away. No complaints from the Brazilian.

The pressure is starting to build on the PSG defence, but Chelsea's time is beginning to run out. Mourinho has never lost a European quarter-final as a manager, and he is just six minutes away from doing so here unless his side can score a late goal.

PSG SUB: The visitors make another change, and this one is very much a defensive one. On comes the centre-back Marquinhos and off goes Lucas Moura.

Luiz nods the ball into a dangerous area and Ba challenges with the keeper, who punch only falls to Willian. His shot is blocked by defenders desperately protecting an open goal, but the scramble is brought to an end by the referee awarding a free kick.

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 PSG (Demba Ba)

Chelsea have done it, and it is another Mourinho sub to do it! The hosts launch the ball into the area and PSG can't get a convincing clearance to it. The ball deflects off Jallet on its way back into the box, where Demba Ba is waiting to sweep home from close range. Incredible scenes at Stamford Bridge as Mourinho goes sprinting down the touchline to celebrate with his players.

Surely there is no time for PSG to respond here? They are pushing for it late on, but Chelsea's goal has come at almost the perfect time, even if it was starting to get a bit nervy. The Chelsea fans are ecstatic as they are on the verge of another historic Champions League comeback.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of four minutes added time. Is there more late drama to come?

The visitors launch the ball into the area and Alex gets his head to it, but can't get enough power on his effort to trouble Cech. The Blues are hanging on now, with Mourinho frantically telling his strikers to join the defensive effort.

UPDATE: Real Madrid are in the semi-finals having held on to their aggregate lead against Dortmund. It was 2-0 to the Germans on the night, but the Spanish side progressed thanks to their 3-0 win in the first leg. Mourinho could be coming up against his former team in the last four.

PSG have a late corner, and up comes Sirgu...

FULL TIME: Chelsea 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain

Cech makes a late save at his near post to deny PSG a dramatic winner and, moments later, the referee blows his whistle for the final time, drawing jubilant scenes in the stands and on the pitch. What a finale to this match as Chelsea once again come from two goals down to progress in the Champions League. They are in the semi-finals yet again and will really fancy their chances of going all the way again now. Tonight will live long in the memory of those in Stamford Bridge tonight.

Demba Ba was the unlikeliest of heroes for Chelsea as he scored the winning goal with less than five minutes to play of the tie. There was an element of luck to the goal as the ball broke kindly for the striker in the area, but the hosts won't care how it went in. Schurrle had earlier set them on their way with a goal in the first half.

From PSG, that is a devastating disappointment. They had high hopes for their European campaign this season and had one foot in the semi-finals going into this season leg. However, they were nowhere near their best tonight and Chelsea deserve their victory, it must be said. PSG's club-record 11-match winning streak comes to an end, and it does so in heartbreaking fashion for the Ligue 1 champions.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole on a memorable European night at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea score late to progress through to the Champions League semi-finals on away goals at the expense of PSG. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction and analysis. We have the remaining two quarter-finals covered for you live tomorrow as well, so check back in to see who joins Chelsea and Real Madrid in the last four. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!

ID:148807: cacheID:148807:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:54343:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea team to face PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals on April 8, 2014
Read Next:
Team News: Eto'o returns for Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!