Chelsea struggled over the finish line and snuck a 1-0 win in the Champions League against Pafos at Stamford Bridge.
Moises Caicedo was the hero for the Blues once again as he popped up with a header late in the second half, making it three wins in four for Liam Rosenior.
The new manager has now experienced all four competitions Chelsea are in this season, and will be delighted to see his side move into the top eight of the table and the spots that allow clubs to automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
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For much of the evening though, there was a frustrated look on Rosenior’s face, as his side struggled to break down the resilient Cypriots.
Chelsea FC v Pafos FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Liam Rosenior furious at Enzo Fernandez’s disallowed goal for Chelsea
The Blues did think they had taken the lead early on when Enzo Fernandez headed home, only for his goal to be disallowed.
The World Cup winner was adjudged to have pushed the defender as he went up for the header, a decision his manager clearly didn’t agree with.
As caught by the TNT Sports cameras, Rosenior watched the moment back on a monitor before clearly saying “That’s never a foul”.
VAR did not intervene, and Chelsea were forced to wait patiently before actually making the breakthrough late on.
Chelsea FC v Pafos FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea aggrieved at a number of refereeing decisions vs Pafos
As well as the disallowed goal, Chelsea will feel as if they were on the wrong end of a number of decisions made by the officials.
Joe Cole was stunned the Blues didn’t get a penalty after the ball struck both hands of the Pafos defender in the second half, with the feeling inside Stamford Bridge being very nervy until Caicedo’s goal.
Thankfully, the decisions didn’t have an impact on the result, and Chelsea have set up a crucial game next week against Napoli.
A win against Antonio Conte’s side will see the Blues finish in the top eight, guaranteeing a place in the Round of 16.
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