Chelsea vs. Paris Saint-Germain: 5 Things We Learned

Chelsea turned around a 3-1 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain to edge their way into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Goals from Andre Schurrle and Demba Ba saw a European night at Stamford Bridge go down in Blues folklore, as the feats of 2012 against Napoli were emulated.

Chelsea now look forward to Friday's draw, while Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi mourn another London night that wasn't to be.

But what did we learn from Chelsea beating Paris Saint-Germain?

The Spirit of 2012 Is Here Again

Kirsty Wigglesworth

Two years back, a Chelsea side in transition found themselves 3-1 down after a Champions League away game.

As with Napoli in 2012, Blues had to win by two clear goals without conceding against PSG.

Some of the cast of 2012 was the same—Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi being two of them.

Surely lightning couldn't strike twice?

The roof was very nearly lifted off Stamford Bridge, as Jose Mourinho's team banged home those two vital goals, thanks to a swivelling volley from Andre Schurrle and a late poacher's effort from Demba Ba.

Something else happened to Chelsea in the Champions League in 2012.

Who would be against that happening again this year?

Chelsea Can Do It Without Eden Hazard

Matt Dunham

The early substitution of Eden Hazard due to injury looked to many like the death knell to Chelsea's Champions League hopes.

But on came Andre Schurrle, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Chelsea not only had the creativity to get through when it was most needed, but they also had the character to keep their opponents out.

Of course, Chelsea will be hanging on the news of when Hazard will return. They have so often looked second rate without him this season and won't fancy the trip to Swansea on Sunday quite so much without him.

But they proved tonight that they can do it when he isn't there.

Fernando Torres Is Now Third in the Pecking Order

Kirsty Wigglesworth

Imagine being 3-2 down on aggregate and needing a goal to go through. What would you do?

To Jose Mourinho, the answer was clear—leave Fernando Torres exactly where he was and bring on Demba Ba.

Though Torres did come on for the final 10 minutes, the message was obvious: Here are my three men, in order of preference.

These look to be the final few weeks for Torres in a Chelsea shirt. Few Chelsea fans will complain if that is the case.

But the most interesting thing may be who comes the other way in any deal to take him away from the club.

Jose Mourinho Really Wants This

Matt Dunham

History says that Chelsea managers who win nothing don't stay Chelsea managers for too long.

Jose Mourinho has, of course, been in that position before.

His love affair with the Champions League is well documented. He won it at Porto and Inter Milan, and it would be fair to ascertain that he has unfinished business at Chelsea.

This could be the last time for Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and maybe even John Terry and Petr Cech.

And the final is in Lisbon—across the estuary from Mourinho's own birthplace.

If ever, for a second, the Chelsea boss says he doesn't want this, believe him at your peril.

This Win Gives Chelsea the Impetus in the League

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Chelsea, under Mourinho, are specialists in April and May.

Finals and run-ins are what they do to perfection, building on results and confidence to turn momentum into points and trophies.

While they are now third favourites for the Premier League, with most having ruled them out of that, they are still battling for places.

The considered wisdom had been that the momentum was now with Liverpool. But this result clearly gives Chelsea a confidence boost, and we are in for a very interesting title run-in.