Half-Time Report: Branislav Ivanovic heads Chelsea in front against Paris Saint-Germain

A header from Branislav Ivanovic has given Chelsea a 1-0 lead at the halfway stage of their Champions League last 16 first-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain this evening.

© AFP

PSG made a dominant start to the match and Blaise Matuidi forced Thibaut Courtois to beat away his header, and moments later the keeper was alert to palm away a similar effort from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The hosts came close to scoring again when Edinson Cavani met a corner at the front post and flicked a header goalwards, but Courtois stretched out a hand to tip the ball behind.

Chelsea had barely posed a threat, but they took the lead in the 36th minute when John Terry's cross was flicked on by Gary Cahill into the path of Ivanovic, who directed a header into the far corner.

Ibrahimovic then fired a free kick over the bar at the end of the half, as Chelsea held on to their slender lead going into the break.