Chelsea toiled and laboured to a 1-0 win over Pafos in the Champions League, but strengthened their hopes of a top-eight league stage finish heading into the final game against Napoli.
Although it only finished 1-0, Chelsea had no shortage of opportunities, especially in the first half. Moises Caicedo, the eventual goalscorer, uncharacteristically found himself on the end of four excellent chances, and was finally able to make one count with just over 10 minutes remaining, heading in from close range.
Better late than never 🙌
Moises Caicedo breaks the deadlock for Chelsea after 78 minutes 💫
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2026
Pafos were 29th in the Champions League table before this match and had only accumulated six points from six games.
Bayern Munich battered them 5-1, whilst Juventus beat them 2-0. For Chelsea to not get over the line would have been hugely disappointing, and it could well have ended that way.
The first half produced good chances for Reece James, Caicedo and Benoît Badiashile. Enzo Fernandez also had a goal ruled out somewhat harshly.
The midfielder had the ball in the back of the net after 17 minutes but it was ruled out after he was judged to have pushed Pafos defender Derrick Luckassen in the back while contesting the header which he scored from. It seemed a very harsh decision, but referee Erik Lambrechts was undeterred.
The Cypriot team settled into a low block for most of the game, and Chelsea could not find a way through. Despite the visitors’ tactics being unsurprising, Chelsea’s forward line struggled to penetrate.
Knowing he needed more creativity against the low block, Blues boss Liam Rosenior brought on Estevao, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens in the second half.
Estevao rarely leaves the pitch without having had some sort of impact or moment that gets the fans off their seats, and tonight was no different.
His dazzling dribbling ability was too much to deal with for most of the Pafos backline, but he struggled with his final action.
With 20 minutes to go and a valuable point in their sights, the Pafos defence looked at this point impenetrable.
It took a set piece goal that was far from pretty for Chelsea to finally break the deadlock. Pedro Neto, who was dangerous throughout, delivered in a good corner in the 77th minute that was inadvertently flicked on by Pafos winger Jaja.
Caicedo was perfectly positioned a few yards out to connect with a header and send the Chelsea fans into raptures.
The Blues are now eighth in the table, and will almost certainly need a win next week away to Napoli to cement their top eight finish and avoid extra, unwanted games in the form of a two-legged playoff to reach the round of 16.