Despite a feisty first half packed with promise, the Blues were left frustrated as several good chances went begging and the breakthrough refused to arrive. Instead, it was PSG who struck first after the interval, Noah Nsoki curling in the opener before Ilyes Housni added a second with a sharp solo finish, leaving Chelsea with an uphill task.

Seeking renewed energy, Calum McFarlane turned to his bench and the response was immediate. Substitute Mheuka halved the deficit with a composed low strike, reflecting the resilience the Blues had shown throughout. Yet PSG hit back almost instantly, Housni rising to head home his second of the evening and restore the visitors’ two-goal advantage.

Chelsea pushed tirelessly in the closing stages, but despite our effort and intent, the decisive moments fell the way of the visitors. The final fixture of 2025 in European competition ended in disappointment, though the performance offered positives to carry into the new year.

Early entertainment

From the outset this midweek fixture carried real intensity, both sides flying into challenges with the tempo set high. PSG saw more of the early ball and created the first chance when Housni cut inside and tested Max Merrick with a low strike, but our keeper was calm and equal to it.

We soon responded in kind. Dujuan Richards linked neatly with Jimi Tauriainen, and the midfielder’s powerful drive looked destined to break the deadlock before a deflection took it wide. The pressure continued to build. Frankie Runham, lively down the flank, drove inside and unleashed a fierce effort on target, but Martin James stayed alert to deny him.

Past the 20-minute mark the momentum remained with us. Richards delivered a wicked ball across the face of goal shortly after Deivid Washington had stung James’ palms with a low effort from distance. Chelsea were finding space, moving the ball quickly and asking constant questions of the PSG back line.

Another slick combination followed. Kaiden Wilson stepped out confidently, feeding Deivid, who lifted a clever pass into the path of Richards. The forward drove at his man, cut inside and struck low, but James again stood firm.

For all our dominance, the visitors nearly landed a blow of their own. Housni led a swift counter, sliding the ball to Mohamed Amine El Idrissi, whose close-range attempt looked certain to find the net. However, Merrick produced an outstanding save to keep the scores level.

As half-time approached the game tightened. The earlier flurries of action gave way to more cagey passages, both teams probing for the moment that would finally provide a breakthrough. In the end, neither side found it before the interval, and the teams went in goalless, the tie finely poised and the tension rising.

Chelsea’s Under-21s emerged for the second half with purpose, immediately pushing for the breakthrough our first-half performance had threatened. Landon Emenalo surged forward, beating his marker before cutting the ball back to Deivid, whose driven low strike forced yet another strong save from the ever-busy Martin James.

Moments later Genesis Antwi threaded a clever pass into Reggie Walsh, who met it sweetly and struck with pace and precision. His effort, however, skimmed inches wide of the far post. The Blues were building momentum, the early exchanges hinting that the opener was close.

Disappointing setback

Despite our growing dominance, it was PSG who struck first. Nsoki reacted sharply to a loose ball on the edge of the box, curling a powerful effort that crept beyond Merrick’s gloves to give the visitors the lead.

Chelsea nearly hit back instantly. Walsh drove forward and released Frankie Runham, who continued his energetic display by powering a rising effort narrowly over the bar. Another chance followed when Richards unleashed a fierce shot that flew just high and wide.

The visitors then delivered another blow. Housni, a constant threat throughout, picked up possession, drove at pace into space and cut inside before placing a low strike into the bottom corner. PSG had their second and Chelsea were left with work to do.

A late lifeline

To our credit, the Blues continued to fight. Our persistence paid off when substitute Mheuka made an immediate impact, weaving into the box and driving a firm strike that slipped through James’ gloves to bring the deficit back to 2-1. It was no more than Chelsea deserved for our response.

But the celebrations were short-lived. PSG restored their two-goal cushion almost instantly with a rapid counter-attack. Landry N’Dri N’Guessan sprinted down the flank and found Mohamed El Idrissi, whose clipped ball into the area was met by Housni. The winger climbed highest and powered in a thumping header for his second of the afternoon.

We refused to let the game die quietly. Mheuka came close again, flashing a clever, flicked header from close range that seemed destined for the net, only for James to produce a remarkable stop to keep it out.

In the end, time ran out on the Blues’ late push, and despite our effort and attacking intent, the wait for our first points in the Premier League International Cup goes on.

What's next

Our Blues will return to action in the New Year. The Under-21s will face Benfica in the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday 7 January at Kingsmeadow, with kick-off at 7pm. Tickets for that fixture are available now.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Max Merrick; Genesis Antwi (Trialist 72), Axel Disasi (c), Kaiden Wilson, Landon Emenalo; Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Jimi Tauriainen (Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli 61), Reggie Walsh (Charlie Holland 61); Dujuan Richards, Deivid Washington (Shumaira Mheuka 61), Frankie Runham (Ato Ampah 62)
Unused subs: Freddy Bernal, Ibrahim Rabbaj
Scorer: Mheuka 75
Booked: Mheuka 90+7

Paris Saint-Germain: Martin James, David Boly, Noham Kamara (Dimitri Lucea 78), Mathias Lavenette, Thomas Cordier, Eddy Doue, Mathias Jangeal (Rayan Abo El Nay 61), Mohamed Amine El Idrissi (c) (Ilian Mhand 90+1), Noah Nsoki (Landry N'Dri N'Guessan 60), Khadid Atari, Ilyes Housni (Fabio Domingos 90+1)
Unused subs: Ethan Luvambano, Bryan Francillonne
Scorers: Nsoki 52, Housni 67, 76
Booked: Cordier 44, Nsoki 54, James 80