LOSC Lille 1-2 Chelsea: 5 Hits and Flops from the game | Champions League 2019-20 

Lille OSC v Chelsea FC: Group H - UEFA Champions League
Lille OSC v Chelsea FC: Group H - UEFA Champions League

Frank Lampard recorded his maiden victory in the Champions League as a manager, as his Chelsea side pipped an exciting Lille outfit by 2-1 margin to take home all three points.

More so, the Blues have now made it three wins in three in all competitions, with performances and positive passages of play finally appearing to translate into points.

With that, they are now placed third in Group H, behind Ajax and Valencia. Although their goal difference is superior to the Spanish club, the head-to-head record in the group stage so far between the two clubs sees Chelsea below Valencia.

However, the Blues will face their real test in coming weeks, as they take on the high-flying Ajax in what could make or break their Champions League campaign along with their hopes of making it to the knockout stages.

Coming back to this game, birthday boy Tammy Abraham bagged his eighth goal of the season with a well-taken finish, before 20-year-old Victor Osimhen restored parity in the 33rd minute. Willian restored Chelsea's lead with a sumptuous volley, and the visitors held on despite a couple of late scares to register their first Champions League win of the season.

On that note, we look at five players who experienced contrasting fortunes in France on Wednesday night.


#5 Hit: Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen rose above everybody else to draw Lille level
Victor Osimhen rose above everybody else to draw Lille level

Victor Osimhen is in the form of his life. Arguably one of the finds of the season so far in Europe, the young forward had it all to do to enhance his reputation when his side hosted English giants Chelsea.

The striker did pleasingly well throughout the game, expressing a direct nature with and without the ball. With the ball, he always looked to charge goalward, while without it, the youngster continuously made runs down the channel - in behind or between the Chelsea centre-backs.

Lille in fact, were back on level terms because of him. The Blues made a blunder out of a set piece, but huge credit goes to the number 9 for making a sharp run between Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori and out-jumping them convincingly.

His header was well-placed as well. He's certainly one to watch out for this season!

#4 Flop: Kurt Zouma

Lille OSC v Chelsea FC: Group H - UEFA Champions League
Lille OSC v Chelsea FC: Group H - UEFA Champions League

Kurt Zouma displayed nerves of steel and physical aptitude in the second half, as he was almost impenetrable. However, it look him a good while to settle into the game and not commit poor mistakes.

The centre-back, first of all, was at fault for the goal. Lampard's zonal marking system has been subject to major scorn from the supporters and pundits alike, but Zouma should have done much better.

In no way could he have allowed Osimhen to get ahead of him that easily. More so, the Frenchman should have contested for the first ball better as well.

Zouma, although solid for the majority of the second half, looked a little shaky at the heart of defence in the first few phases of the game. Kepa Arrizabalaga once, had to bail him out with a header after he got into a tangle and almost gifted Lille a goal.

He's clearly showing signs of improvement, but a little more touch-up in some aspects should make him a better defender.

#3 Hit: Kepa Arrizabalaga

Kepa made a few heroic saves in the second half to spare Chelsea's blushes
Kepa made a few heroic saves in the second half to spare Chelsea's blushes

Kepa Arrizabalaga seems to have finally hit top gear in last night's fixture against Les Dogues. Heading into the season, the goalkeeper had the worst save percentage in the Premier League until gameweek 4, but has returned to his best in the last fortnight or so.

He came to Chelsea's rescue about three to four times on Wednesday, producing last-ditch clearances and a string of splendid saves. If not for him, the Blues would certainly have dropped points and seen their Champions League hopes hanging in the balance, with two difficult matches against Ajax lined up in quick succession.

Among the slew of stops he made, the most important one probably, was the block in the 83rd minute that ultimately proved to be a game-changing move.

Alonso had sold Zouma with a back pass, but the centre-back made a mess out of it. Jonathan Bamba pick-pocketed him on the edge of the box, but Kepa rushed out of his lines swiftly to thwart the danger.

He did superbly well to get his fingertips to a Benjamin Andre header in the 52nd minute as well.

#2 Flop: Jose Fonte

The Lille captain was caught napping way too often
The Lille captain was caught napping way too often

While Lille's problems in goal continued, they forgot to stick to the basics, as seen in recent weeks since the start of the new term.

Jose Fonte, while good on the ball and during set pieces, made a couple of horrifying errors that were enough to grant Chelsea a goal.

He struggled to keep pace with the speed at which the Blues moved the ball during some stages of the game, and was left in no man's land with regard to the shape of the back four. Sometimes way too ahead, sometimes not close enough to his partner.

For the first goal scored by Abraham too, he signaled an offside trap to his fellow defenders, but forgot to move ahead in time himself. As a result, Abraham was quickly played in and from there on, the Lille defenders had absolutely no chance.

Poor, poor decision making from the former Southampton center-half.

#1 Hit: Jorginho

Jorginho and Kante together controlled the pace of play from midfield
Jorginho and Kante together controlled the pace of play from midfield

Jorginho once again was the main man at the centre of the pitch as he controlled the tempo of the game and sprayed passes with a hawk-eye vision - almost as if he had the pitch mapped out for himself in the mind.

To start off with, Jorginho has been excellent in holding and unleashing the Chelsea press - a sight we didn't get to see too often last season. Seriously, Jorginho recovering balls in key areas of the pitch and not just for the sake of ball retention is the midfielder's true potential.

Furthermore, the former Napoli man was ever-so-composed with his touch, pass and control on the ball, you barely doubted him in possession. Not to mention, the Italy international's significantly improved forward passing was on show too.

He was the earliest to sense danger, and hence the interceptions and recoveries. Jorginho was very unlucky to have hit the outside of the post, despite a fine curling effort from distance.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar