Champions League holders Chelsea have one foot within the quarter-finals of the 2021-22 competitors after beating French champions Lille 2-0 within the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Kai Havertz’s first-half header and Christian Pulisic’s second-half purpose noticed Chelsea take management of the Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel’s resolution to bench club-record signing Romelu Lukaku dominated headlines previous to the match, however the gamble greater than paid off as Chelsea proved too sturdy for Ligue 1 aspect Lille.
Chelsea, who're presently third within the Premier League and face Liverpool within the Carabao Cup remaining on Sunday, journey to Lille on March 16 as they give the impression of being to safe their place within the Champions League quarter-finals.
Membership World Cup winners Chelsea completed second in Group H behind Juventus and will have confronted the likes of Bayern Munich or Actual Madrid, however their prospects of retaining the trophy they gained final Might had been seemingly boosted once they drew Lille, who've struggled since successful the French title final season.
Chelsea made an outstanding begin to the tie, with Havertz forcing Lille goalkeeper Leo Jardim right into a high-quality save earlier than the German headed house an early opener from the next nook.
At that stage it appeared as if Chelsea may sweep Lille apart, however the guests regained their composure and started to threaten Edouard Mendy’s purpose with out creating many clear-cut probabilities.
Hakim Ziyech, who would later hobble off alongside Mateo Kovacic with an harm, and Marcos Alonso each went shut after half-time however Lille coped nicely with the stress to remain within the contest.
Chelsea doubled their benefit simply after the hour mark, nevertheless, as Pulisic raced onto a move from N’Golo Kante earlier than dinking the ball into the web.
The two-0 win sees two-time European champions Chelsea turn out to be the primary English staff in Champions League historical past to win 5 consecutive house matches with out conceding a purpose.
Assessing Chelsea’s victory over Lille, former Blues midfielder Karen Carney advised BBC Radio 5 Reside: ‘Skilled.
‘Chelsea began like a home on hearth, received possession, waited for Lille to open up and received them on the counter assault for the second.
‘Typical Chelsea, however I've been impressed with Lille, a younger aspect and they'll have a superb go however Chelsea’s defence is sort of a brick wall.
‘Job carried out, a clear sheet. Chelsea are like a basketball staff that may flip it on and off when they need. There have been some good performances and defensively they're trying very strong.’
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