Chelsea knocked out by clinical PSG

Chelsea 1-2 PSG (2-4)

By Nick Powell at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea's hopes of an unlikely Champions League run were dashed as they were out-fought and out-thought against recent rivals PSG, who were inspired by an impressive performance from striker Zlatan Ibrahimović.

PSG dominated the ball in the early exchanges and took the lead after Ibrahimovic found himself in space on the right and found Rabiot in the box who gave the visitors the lead on the night.

Chelsea struggled to get into the game, until Pedro put in a tackle that triggered a move that Costa finished wonderfully.

Chelsea looked much better as the first half ended, but lost their grip of the game in the second half before Ibrahimovic tapped in from Di Maria's perfect delivery to all but seal the tie.

And PSG held on as the tie miserably fizzled out.

For Chelsea, it is a damaging defeat which all but ends their hopes of being in the competition next year and leaves them with only the FA Cup as potential silverware.

There was a sense of anticipation and positive atmosphere before the game, but it was soon ended by PSG's ability to dominate the ball.

Chelsea had a good chance in just the second minute as Costa tested Trapp, but from then on the first 15 minutes were all about PSG.

They were rewarded as Di Maria found Ibrahimovic, who had evaded Ivanovic, and he crossed perfectly to Rabiot who gave PSG a two goal lead on aggregate.

Chelsea continued to struggle to create chances, but their work rate was improving and they found an unlikely goal to come right back into the tie.

After Pedro earned the ball back Willian found him, and his first time lay off was perfectly weighted into the path of Diego Costa up against Thiago Silva on the edge of the box. Costa still had a lot to do, but rolled the Brazilian wonderfully before firing Chelsea's equalizer home.

Chelsea looked a different team, creating some impressive chances. Diego Costa, who was the hosts' best player, was at the centre of many of them, and Chelsea could be confident heading into half-time.

The second half would start much like the first for Chelsea however. PSG were not creating chances, but were denying Chelsea the ball and they desperately needed it to try and get a grip of some kind to build momentum to find a second.

And as Costa went off, the home crowed became subdued again. Willian had a good low shot saved by Trapp, which no-one could score on the follow up, but any positive energy forged from that attack was wiped out within a minute.

In what was similar to the first goal, but on the other side, Di Maria was slipped in and this time Zlatan was the finisher onto the Argentine's low cross.

PSG led on the night and Chelsea required three goals. In reality, they never looked like scoring, and as more and more lame shots and failed passes stacked up, the ground slowly emptied.

Chelsea's interest in the Champions League was over long before they were put out of their misery by the final whistle.









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