Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a late double as PSG beat Chelsea 5-2 within the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Picture: AFP
PARIS:
A present by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and two late targets by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave title holders Paris Saint-Germain a shocking 5-2 win over the English facet in an exhilarating Champions League final 16, first leg on Wednesday.
It appeared as if Chelsea would return to London for subsequent week’s second leg with a draw, and maybe the higher hand within the tie, after they twice got here from behind within the first hour on the Parc des Princes.
Bradley Barcola’s early opener for PSG was cancelled out by Malo Gusto, and a implausible Ousmane Dembele end which put the hosts again forward simply previous to the interval was adopted by Enzo Fernandez making it 2-2.
Nonetheless, a careless Jorgensen move out was intercepted, permitting Vitinha to attain PSG’s third with a pleasant lob on 74 minutes, and substitute Kvaratskhelia smashed in an outstanding fourth for the hosts 4 minutes from time.
As if that weren’t sufficient, Kvaratskhelia scored once more in stoppage time, leaving the reigning European champions seemingly with one foot within the quarter-finals earlier than the return at Stamford Bridge subsequent Tuesday.
“I’m completely satisfied to have helped the workforce however I’m extra completely satisfied that we gained towards Chelsea as a result of they’re a superb workforce,” Kvaratskhelia informed broadcaster Canal Plus as he dismissed recommendations PSG weren’t the identical drive as final season.
“I do not agree as a result of we’re nonetheless PSG and I believe right now we confirmed everyone that we’re able to every part. We simply need to proceed like this.”
The tie might not fairly be over, however this end result additionally provides PSG a measure of revenge within the first assembly of the groups since Chelsea crushed an exhausted French facet 3-0 in final July’s Membership World Cup remaining.
9 of Chelsea’s beginning XI that day lined up at kick-off right here, the exceptions being Jorgensen -– most well-liked to Robert Sanchez –- and defender Wesley Fofana.
In addition they have a special coach now, with Liam Rosenior having succeeded Enzo Maresca in January.
This recreation noticed him make his return to France, the place he spent 18 months at Strasbourg, the membership who belong to the identical BlueCo consortium which owns Chelsea.
His begin in west London has been promising sufficient, however an exit from Europe will now be troublesome to keep away from, particularly as PSG appeared to have their starvation again right here after some patchy performances in current weeks.
“We will not afford to be making errors like that at this stage,” Fofana informed Canal Plus.
“There may be nonetheless hope (for subsequent week). We’ll be at dwelling and we’ll give every part. We’ve nothing to lose.”
PSG, who gained three knockout ties towards English sides en path to European glory final yr, have struggled to rediscover their type of final season with that marathon marketing campaign taking its toll.
Goalkeeping errors
Ballon d’Or winner Dembele began for simply the fifteenth time in PSG’s 41 matches this time period. He had performed 90 minutes simply 4 instances earlier than Wednesday.
They’re a mere level forward of Lens in Ligue 1, whereas they got here into this recreation with simply two wins in seven in Europe.
But they got here flying out of the blocks, going forward on 10 minutes as Joao Neves nodded the ball down for Barcola, who managed earlier than firing in off the underside of the crossbar.
The champions had been within the temper as Jorgensen tipped a Dembele effort onto the publish, however there’s a feeling that their determination to promote Gianluigi Donnarumma might value them.
Matfei Safonov has just lately change into the first-choice goalkeeper and he was at fault for Chelsea’s equaliser on 28 minutes.
Fernandez discovered Gusto alone on the Chelsea proper and the French full-back scored with a shot which actually ought to have been stopped by Safonov.
The Russian redeemed himself on 39 minutes by parrying Cole Palmer’s shot, 14 seconds earlier than Dembele made it 2-1.
He was launched by Need Doue, ran via on aim and feinted a technique then the opposite earlier than scoring with a shot that deflected in off Fofana.
His twelfth of the season separated the groups at half-time, however once more Chelsea equalised because the hour approached.
Pedro Neto flew down the left and reduce the ball again for the unmarked Fernandez to fireplace in.
Then Chelsea collapsed, as Barcola intercepted a Jorgensen move and Vitinha completed in model, earlier than Kvaratskhelia’s beautiful solo effort and late end from Achraf Hakimi’s help made it an evening to recollect for the hosts.
