Phil
Thompson believes Chelsea have given themselves a chance of getting past PSG
in the Champions League last-16 second leg, despite the 2-1 defeat in Paris.
Edinson Cavani's 78th-minute winner came after Jon Obi Mikel had cancelled
out Zlatan Ibrahimovic's deflected opener in the French capital on Tuesday
night, but a 1-0 win in the return leg at Stamford Bridge in three weeks
would be enough for Chelsea.
Thompson told
Sky Sports News HQ that although Guus Hiddink's side
will be upset at the late defeat, they have a chance of progressing to the
last eight.
"Coming into the game, they would have said: 'Let's give ourselves a chance
going into the game at Stamford Bridge'," said Thompson.
"With a 2-1 defeat, yes, they'll be upset that they've lost the game - but
they've got an away goal.
"They've given themselves a good chance, and they did cause the PSG defence
plenty of problems. It was a shaky start, but you know you're going to get
this in this sort of game.
"They did have a few chances, but they will know - it's still a tough game,
but they've given themselves a chance."
Thompson praised the performance of centre-halves Gary Cahill and Branislav
Ivanovic, who put in a fine show to limit PSG to two goals at the Parc des
Princes.
But the Sky Sports pundit was concerned with the fitness of Eden Hazard, who
was starting for only the third time in Chelsea's last six games.
"Ivanovic and Cahill were absolutely terrific," added Thompson. "Ibrahimovic
was alright, he caused them a lot of problems with his movement at first,
but he dropped deeper and deeper, because that was the influence of Ivanovic
and Cahill.
"Hazard didn't look completely fit, I don't know what he's doing in
training. But he played very well, he looked up and had good control, and
maybe his fitness is the reason they brought him off after 70 minutes, to
get Oscar on and give them some fresh legs.
"That said, he was nothing like the Eden Hazard of last year."
Put on the spot for a prediction as to who will progress, Thompson conceded
PSG may be too strong for Chelsea in the second leg, and that he can see
them scoring at least one away goal at Stamford Bridge.
"[Will Chelsea go through?] No, because I think PSG have got a goal, or
maybe two, in them. I think it's going to be a difficult one, I really do."
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