Earlier it looked as if those aspirations were to suffer a setback as one-time transfer target Willian struck in each half to cancel out goals from Fernando Torres and Oscar following howlers by Shakhtar goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.

However, Moses, who had only come in for the final 10 minutes, got on the end of Juan Mata’s corner deep in stoppage time to snatch victory which leaves Chelsea level on points with Group E leaders Shakhtar ahead of their final two games, which are away to Juventus, who are a point behind in third, and then at home to whipping boys Nordsjaelland.

“This is not going to make things easier, but it is going to give us a good chance to qualify because I think, like this, the last game will be crucial between Shakhtar and Juventus when they play each other,” Di Matteo said.

“We need some points from our last two games, and to win the last game for sure.”

[comment]

Di Matteo accepted Chelsea had enjoyed some good fortune in snatching their stoppage-time win.

“In terms of the timing of the winning goal, you probably could agree that there was an element of luck. It was basically the last kick of the game,” he said.

“We did a lot of good things, put them under pressure particularly in the first half, and that’s how we scored the two goals.

“But it was always going to be a difficult game, they are a very good side and have shown that in all the games they have played.”

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu admitted the defeat was difficult to take, especially after dominating for such long periods, making the European champions look ordinary.

The Romanian said: “It is painful.

“Our goalkeeper made some incredible mistakes.

“The referee also made a mistake, because he said there was three minutes and not three minutes 30 seconds. There should not have been a corner, it would have been finished.

“But I am confident because I have seen my team play a very good match.

“We still have two games left to play and have the same number of points as Chelsea.”