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Reigning European champions Chelsea secured a comfortable win over Lille in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash on Tuesday night. Goals from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic either side of half-time helped the Blues to a 2-0 win over the French champions.
Following a lackluster display against Crystal Palace on Saturday, the onus was on Thomas Tuchel to make his side play an engaging brand of football. In front of a packed Stamford Bridge, he did not disappoint.
The hosts dominated proceedings from the get-go and got their first big chance after just four minutes of play. Kai Havertz’s outstretched leg made contact with Cesar Azpilicueta’s low cross, but it zoomed over the bar.
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The inevitable finally happened from an eighth-minute corner, with Havertz heading in from close range to put the home side ahead. The two teams traded blows for the next 35 odd minutes, but neither were clinical enough to find the back of the net.
Just past the hour mark, Christian Pulisic doubled the Champions League holders’ advantage, finishing off a neat counter-attack. Lille responded with an attempt on goal 10 minutes later, but Sven Botman’s headed effort was saved by Edouard Mendy.
Overall, it was a comfortable night for the Blues, one that should give them plenty of confidence for their upcoming League Cup final clash with Liverpool.
Here are five players who made sure nothing untoward happened against Lille at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night:
#5 Andreas Christensen
Out of contract in June, Andreas Christensen once again proved why the Blues should be quick to offer him an extension. He never put a foot wrong and carried the ball into midfield multiple times.
The Danish international’s passing was also up to the mark, as he effortlessly combined with Cesar Azpilicueta and N’Golo Kante.
Over the course of the match, Christensen made three clearances, performed three interceptions, attempted two tackles, and won two duels.
#4 Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz was chosen to lead Chelsea’s attack in the absence of Romelu Lukaku, who was dropped to the bench following his disasterclass against Palace.
Unlike the Belgian, the German ran the opposition ragged and manifested the goal he deserved.
Havertz registered the Blues’ first shot against Lille in the fourth minute but failed to keep his effort on target. Three minutes later, he lodged a shot on target, but could only win a corner as the Lille keeper Leo Jardim parried his effort away.
His moment finally came from the resulting corner as he thumped home Hakim Ziyech’s inviting delivery.
#3 Thiago Silva
Since his free transfer to Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, Thiago Silva has rewritten the rules of nature. While most 37-year-old players are either slowing down or contemplating retirement (excluding a certain Cristiano Ronaldo), the Brazilian is arguably playing the best football of his career.
He has settled effortlessly in a difficult league and has become the sweetheart of millions of Chelsea supporters.
In the match, Silva sat at the heart of Thomas Tuchel’s trademark three-man back-line and frustrated Lille attackers all night long. His calmness was infectious at the back as he brought the best out of Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.
The Brazil international effortlessly beat Lille’s pressing, won his individual battles, and rarely misplaced his passes.
Against the French champions, Silva had seven clearances, blocked two shots, made two interceptions, and won six duels. A masterful performance by the former PSG star.
#2 N’Golo Kante
2018 World Cup winner N’Golo Kante has had a tough time keeping himself fit this season. Thomas Tuchel’s side have coped well with his absence, of course, but they rarely look as cohesive as they do when he’s on the pitch.
Last night, the Blues had the former Leicester City man in all his glory, and the scoreline reflected that.
Operating at the heart of midfield, the Frenchman had to contend with Lille defenders all night long. The opposition did not allow him any time to settle on the ball, but still could not keep the midfielder from weaving his magic.
He made darting runs through the middle all night long and popped up with inviting passes into the box.
In the 63rd minute, Kante pierced through Lille’s midfield and effortlessly picked out Pulisic’s run on the left with an inch-perfect offload. The USA international took care of the rest.
Apart from assisting, the 30-year-old made two key passes, won six duels, and completed two of his three attempted dribbles. He also had a stellar 91% passing accuracy.
#1 Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic has not always been the most dependable creative outlet for the west London outfit. He has often struggled to find his footing in a game and tends to disappear against physically intimidating teams.
Last night, however, was a glorious exception. The American not only scored an important goal but was also at the heart of every good passage of play.
Playing on the inside left channel, Pulisic used his pace and dribbling skills to take the fight to Lille. He also dropped deep when needed and unhesitantly helped at the back.
To top it off, the USA international won seven of his nine ground duels and rarely gave the ball away.
His best moment of the match came in the 63rd minute, when Kante sent him through on the visitors’ goal. He kept his cool and clipped the ball over an onrushing Leo Jardim to find the bottom-right corner.
Apart from the excellent goal, Pulisic also provided two key passes into the Lille box. Overall, it was a confidence-boosting performance from the American, one worthy enough to make him a starter against Liverpool on Sunday.
