Chelsea needed 77 minutes to break down Champions League debutants Pafos at Stamford Bridge, Moises Caicedo eventually heading home from close range to seal a 1-0 win that lifted Liam Rosenior's side up to eighth in the league phase on goal difference.
It had threatened to be one of the most embarrassing nights in Chelsea's European history. The Cypriot champions, valued at just GBP 26.2m against a Chelsea squad worth more than GBP 1bn according to Transfermarkt, frustrated the hosts with a classic low-block before the GBP 115m midfielder reacted quickest to Pedro Neto's corner after it flicked off substitute Nany Dimata.
A David-versus-Goliath grind at the Bridge
Rosenior, 41, was taking charge of his fourth Chelsea match and his first in the Champions League. His side dominated possession but were ponderous on the ball, creating only a handful of clear-cut chances against the team with the competition's oldest average age.