Pastore strike puts PSG in control against Chelsea

 A solo strike from Javier Pastore right at the death clinched a 3-1 victoryfor Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-finalagainst Chelsea on Wednesday.An early Ezequiel Lavezzi strike and a David Luiz own goal either side of an EdenHazard penalty for Chelsea had looked set to give PSG just a narrow advantageahead of next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge, but Pastore's effort leaves theFrench champions firmly in control of the tie.It will also boost their confidence after the blow of seeing40goaltopscorerZlatanIbrahimovic hobble off injured in the second half, making him a possible doubt forthe second leg.Chelsea were without a key attacking element of their own for this game withSamuel Eto'o sidelined due to injury, and yet manager Jose Mourinho left FernandoTorres on the bench at kick-off, with Andre Schuerrle preferred to the Spaniard inattack. PSG, meanwhile, were at full strength with the exception of the injured Gregory Vander Wiel, whose place in the side was again covered by Christophe Jallet.The home side were expected to control possession but few could have foreseen theextent to which they came flying out of the blocks.Marco Verratti had the game's first shot on goal after just 17 seconds and theopening goal arrived inside fourminutes,mixingdelightfulbuildupplaywithsomequestionable defending.Thiago Motta worked the ball out to Blaise Matuidi on the left, and the Francemidfielder's cross was met by the head of Chelsea captain John Terry. However, hecould only knock the ball down for Lavezzi, who controlled on his chest before firinginto the net off the underside of the bar on the half-volley.It was the Argentine's sixth goal in PSG's last 10 games and Chelsea looked in shock.Soon after Lavezzi was chopped down by Ramires and the Brazilian picked up abooking that rules him out of next week's return leg.Lavezzi then outpaced Gary Cahill to latch on to an Ibrahimovic through ball beforeshooting into the side-netting, but by now the expected roles had been reversed, andPSG were playing on the break.- Hazard leaves PSG rattled -The visitors had started to take the game by the scruff of the neck as they went insearch of an equaliser, and they were gifted a penalty in the 27th minute when Oscarwent down following an uncharacteristically rash challenge in the box by hiscompatriot Thiago Silva. Eden Hazard, who won the French title on the same ground with Lille three yearsago, sent goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu the wrong way from the resulting spot-kick.Chelsea might even have taken the lead before the interval when Hazard connectedfirst-time with a hanging Willian cross on the left-hand side of the area, but hisvolley struck the far post and rebounded to safety.PSG had failed to make the most of their stunning start but they regrouped at the interval and almost seized the lead for the second time on 52 minutes, Lavezziheading just over from another Matuidi left-wing cross.And just after the hour mark they were back in front, Luiz conceding a foul wide onthe left and then helping Lavezzi's wicked delivery into the net.PSG's momentum was checked again midway through the second period whenIbrahimovic hurt himself playing a pass to Jallet in midfield and hobbled offclutching the back of his right thigh.But the home fans' concern for the Swede's fitness was forgotten when Pastore, a latereplacement for Lavezzi, wriggled away from the challenges of Cesar Azpilicueta andFrank Lampard before beating Cech at his near post. Source: AFP