Chelsea edged closer to the Champions League last 16 with a nervy 1-0 win over stubborn Cypriot minnows Pafos at Stamford Bridge.
For long spells, it appeared Liam Rosenior’s debut Champions League campaign would be defined by resistance rather than reward as Pafos frustrated Chelsea for 78 minutes.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Moises Caicedo stole a march on his markers to head home after Wesley Fofana flicked on Pedro Neto’s corner.
Chelsea had earlier celebrated prematurely when Enzo Fernández headed in, only for VAR to rule it out for a foul in the build-up.
Pafos parked bodies in defence but nearly stunned the hosts when Jaja struck the post, with appeals for a handball against Reece James ignored.
Chelsea pressed relentlessly, with Jay Gorter tested repeatedly, while Bruno Felipe produced a heroic challenge to deny Alejandro Garnacho.
Ultimately, a set-piece undid the underdogs, leaving Pafos outside the play-off places, while Chelsea sit eighth, though danger lurks ahead of a daunting trip to Napoli.
