Overview
- Moises Caicedo scored an 78th‑minute header from a Pedro Neto corner to give Chelsea a 1-0 win over Pafos at Stamford Bridge.
- The victory came in Liam Rosenior’s first Champions League match in charge and keeps Chelsea’s route to avoiding February’s play-off round in their own hands.
- Chelsea are eighth in a congested table with eight teams on 13 points and conclude the league phase away to Napoli next week, with the top eight advancing straight to the last 16.
- Rosenior said Cole Palmer missed the game with a “tiny, little strain” related to fatigue and indicated he could be ready for Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
- Elsewhere, Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Marseille strengthened their top‑eight push, and separate reports say Chelsea are preparing a higher offer for Sheffield Wednesday prospect Yisa Alao while paper talk links Palmer to Manchester United despite his long‑term Chelsea contract.