Wednesday 17 February 2016 10:20, UK
Guus Hiddink suffered the first defeat of his second spell in charge of Chelsea as they went down 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie away to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic broke the deadlock late in the first half when his free-kick deflected off John Obi Mikel and into the net, but the Nigerian made amends soon after by firing home for the visitors from a corner.
Diego Costa had chances before and after those goals but it was PSG substitute Edinson Cavani who came up with the winner as he drilled through the legs of Thibaut Courtois late in the second half. Here are the big talking points for Chelsea...
Hazard warnings
The build-up to the game had been dominated by talk of Eden Hazard and his ongoing flirtations with the French champions. Hiddink had urged the Chelsea winger to concentrate on his current employers, but opinion will be divided after this effort.
Hazard worked hard enough in providing defensive support for the inexperienced Baba Rahman in the first half, allowing the full-back to tuck-in at times thanks to his tracking back. But crucially, he could not come up with a key moment at the other end.
Serge Aurier's indiscretions might have made his task easier with Marquinhos playing out of position at right-back, but Hazard was unable to truly test the Brazilian and was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining. Can Hiddink rely on him to make a difference in the return leg?
Mixed night for Mikel
Charged with protecting the Chelsea defence, Mikel fell some way short when committing the foul for the free-kick from which Ibrahimovic opened the scoring. He even deflected the shot wide of Courtois and into the net.
Phil Thompson, watching for Sky Sports, was particularly unimpressed. "You've got to be brave, you've got to just stand forward there" he said. "He literally twists round in the air. Why do these players do it, particularly in a Champions League game? Disgraceful."
At least there was an element of redemption for the midfielder when he blasted the ball home from a corner soon afterwards for only his second-ever Champions League goal. In fact, that away goal could yet prove to be crucial.
He literally twists round in the air. Why do these players do it, particularly in a Champions League game? Disgraceful.
Life without Terry
The physical presence and leadership skills of John Terry were missing following his hamstring injury at the weekend and with Kurt Zouma also unavailable, confidence in Chelsea's defence was not high going into the game.
However, despite conceding twice, the makeshift back-line came out with credit as Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic repeatedly repelled PSG. The pair blocked two shots apiece - more than anyone else on the pitch - with one stop from Blaise Matuidi particularly vital.
Respect for Rahman
Rahman had a role to play too, with the 21-year-old full-back thrust into action in the biggest club game of his career so far. The young Ghanaian had his difficult moments but could be encouraged by his performance.
Indeed, Rahman might even have provided the assist for the game's opening goal had Costa converted his first-half cross. But this was a night for defensive work and with a game-high six interceptions, there was plenty of that in evidence too.
Costa's costly misses
Costa was denied a goal with the aforementioned chance thanks to a superb stop by Kevin Trapp, but he might still have been left feeling he could have removed the possibility of his header being saved.
After the break, he was unable to provide the finish once more when one-on-one with the goalkeeper. On a night of small margins, it was Cavani who came up with the goal when it mattered. Costa owes his Chelsea team-mates one of his own in the return leg.
Willian wows again
It was Willian who provided the through-ball for the second of Costa's big chances and the energetic midfielder was once again Chelsea's most effective attacking outlet on the night. The Brazilian's ability to carry the ball forwards at pace is such a threat.
Willian provided four key passes, more than any other player on either side, including the corner from which Mikel equalised. His thrust will be needed in the second leg if Chelsea are to turn the tie around.
So can they come back?
A 2-1 defeat for Chelsea leaves the game intriguingly poised, particularly given that this contest has been decided on away goals in each of the past two seasons. Indeed, the Blues can hardly be written off, given that they reversed a 3-1 deficit in 2014.
Chelsea have been some way short of hitting that form this season but they are also the only team unbeaten in the Premier League in 2016 and for all the flaws of their performance in Paris, any absurdity at the thought of Champions League progression is dissipating.
After being dominated early on, there were enough moments of promise courtesy of Willian, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas to offer a reminder that this is a side populated by players of quality. There is hope for the return leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, March 9.
