Edinson Cavani came off the bench to give Paris St-Germain the advantage after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea.
The hosts went ahead through Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s deflected free-kick.
But John Mikel Obi scored a precious away goal, capitalising on some terrible defending to sweep home a deserved leveller from six yards.
Chelsea’s stoic defending had them on course for a draw, before Cavani steered home Angel di Maria’s pass.
The 29-year-old Uruguay striker, who has been used primarily as back-up to Ibrahimovic this season, scored moments after substitute Oscar spurned a chance for the visitors.
But with the second leg to come at Stamford Bridge on 9 March, the Blues are still very much in contention thanks to Mikel’s goal – and Thibaut Courtois’ late save from Ibrahimovic.
Tie perfectly poised
Some have called this a make-or-break week for Chelsea, with this match followed by an FA Cup tie against Manchester City on Sunday.
With their Premier League title defence already over, Guus Hiddink’s men will know by the end of the weekend whether they can salvage anything from a disappointing domestic season.
But whatever happens against City, they will be hopeful of progressing in this competition after a promising performance in the French capital.
This is the third successive season these teams have been drawn against each other, and both previous ties were decided on away goals. Chelsea progressed in 2014 despite losing the first leg 3-1 in Parc des Princes – though admittedly they were a more formidable outfit than this vintage – but were beaten last season.
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Blues step up to the challenge
This was Chelsea’s first defeat since Hiddink took charge after Jose Mourinho’s sacking in November, leading his team to a 12-match unbeaten run.
The Blues thumped Newcastle 5-1 at the weekend, but Laurent Blanc’s men were a step up in class.
The Ligue 1 leaders are unbeaten in 44 league games and lead second-placed Monaco by 24 points, though before the match Hiddink questioned the quality of the French top flight.
There is no doubting the quality of players at PSG’s disposal, however, with Blanc able to recall the likes of of Ibrahimovic, Marco Verratti and Lucas Moura after resting them at the weekend.
The hosts were by far the superior side in the opening 17 minutes, enjoying 74% of possession, but all they had to show for it was a long-range Lucas strike.
As the visitors dragged themselves back into the match, Ibrahimovic scored against the run of play. Indeed, were it not for Kevin Trapp’s fingertips diverting Diego Costa’s header onto the crossbar, the Blues would have been ahead before the Swede scored his first goal against them.
Ibrahimovic’s free-kick struck Mikel en route to beating Courtois, but the Nigeria midfielder quickly made amends by capitalising on poor PSG defending from a corner.
Makeshift defence gives Chelsea hope
With John Terry and Kurt Zouma injured, Chelsea were without their first-choice centre-backs.
But the makeshift partnership of Gary Cahill – who blocked bravely from Blaise Matuidi – and Branislav Ivanovic withstood wave after wave of second-half PSG attacks until they were eventually breached in the closing stages.
They were ably supported by Courtois, who made a series of saves, though he was culpable for allowing Cavani to thread the ball between his legs and in at the near post.
Terry’s hamstring injury resulted in a promotion for Ghana defender Baba Rahman, and the left-back played his part in the Blues’ rearguard display.
Man of the match – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Manager reaction
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink said: “Scoring away is always good. I’m never happy with a loss but it’s not a dramatic loss.”
Paris St-Germain counterpart Laurent Blanc said: “The return game will probably be open and, hopefully, with some goals.”
Read more from both managers
The stats you need to know
Edinson Cavani has been involved in five goals in seven Champions League games against Chelsea (three goals, two assists).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has now scored in his past three Champions League games.
John Mikel Obi scored his second Champions League goal, his other coming against Sporting Lisbon in December 2014.
Laurent Blanc is only the second manager to defeat Guus Hiddink during his time as Chelsea boss. Harry Redknapp is the other.
What next?
Chelsea host Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday before travelling to Southampton in the Premier League on 27 February.
Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Paris St G
16Trapp
5Marquinhos
2Thiago Silva
32David LuizBooked at 71mins
17Maxwell
6VerrattiSubstituted forRabiotat 81′minutes
8Motta
14MatuidiSubstituted forPastoreat 81′minutes
11Di María
10IbrahimovicBooked at 19mins
7Lucas MouraBooked at 70minsSubstituted forCavaniat 74′minutes
Substitutes
4Stambouli
9Cavani
20Kurzawa
23Van der Wiel
25Rabiot
27Pastore
30Sirigu
Chelsea
13Courtois
28Azpilicueta
24Cahill
2Ivanovic
6Baba
12MikelBooked at 38mins
4Fàbregas
17PedroBooked at 67mins
22Willian
10HazardSubstituted forOscarat 71′minutes
19Diego Costa
Substitutes
1Begovic
8Oscar
14Traore
16Kenedy
18Remy
20Miazga
36Loftus-Cheek
Referee:
Carlos Velasco Carballo
Attendance:
46,505
Match Stats
Home TeamParis St GAway TeamChelsea
Possession
Home65%
Away35%
Shots
Home20
Away10
Shots on Target
Home8
Away5
Corners
Home9
Away3
Fouls
Home16
Away15
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Paris Saint Germain 2, Chelsea 1.
Full Time
Posted at 90′+3′
Second Half ends, Paris Saint Germain 2, Chelsea 1.
Posted at 90′+2′
Attempt missed. Pedro (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Willian.
Posted at 90′+1′
Attempt saved. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Javier Pastore with a cross.
Posted at 86′
Foul by Thiago Silva (Paris Saint Germain).
Posted at 86′
Diego Costa (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 85′
Foul by Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain).
Posted at 85′
Willian (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 85′
Attempt missed. Thiago Silva (Paris Saint Germain) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
Posted at 84′
Corner, Paris Saint Germain. Conceded by Gary Cahill.
Posted at 84′
Attempt blocked. Marquinhos (Paris Saint Germain) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 84′
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 84′
Foul by Gary Cahill (Chelsea).
Posted at 83′
Offside, Paris Saint Germain. Javier Pastore tries a through ball, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is caught offside.
Posted at 83′
Javier Pastore (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 83′
Foul by Baba Rahman (Chelsea).
Substitution
Posted at 81′<span data-reactid=".106q66xlt6o.0.1:$ panel-2.$ 2.0.0.0.