Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic stood out as Chelsea beat Lille 2-0 in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash.
Chelsea came flying out the blocks, with Kai Havertz missing from point-blank range just two minutes into the game. And after being denied by Leo Jardim moments later, the German international found the back of the net in the third time of asking, nodding in Hakim Ziyech’s delivery from a corner.
After that, Chelsea continued to be the better of the two sides, but Lille found a way to blunt the hosts’ attack until the 63rd minute. Christian Pulisic converted his chance from close range after being set up by N’Golo Kante, whose driving run had opened up the field of play superbly.
Chelsea had a few more opportunities to put the tie beyond Lille, but the visitors managed to restrict the Blues to two goals. The west Londoners are still in a commanding position heading into the second leg next month, with Lille desperately looking for a way back into the contest. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Thomas Tuchel’s men.
Edouard Mendy: 6/10
Mendy barely had anything to do, with Lille hardly carrying a threat on Tuesday. The Senegalese international made two regulation saves and kept yet another clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League. He is in for a busier outing on the weekend.
Andreas Christensen: 7/10
After playing as a right-back against Crystal Palace, Christensen was back in his usual position in the back three. The Dane was generally very solid and looked assured with the ball at his feet, completing 93 per cent of his attempted passes. He will aim to be similarly assertive against Liverpool.
Thiago Silva: 8/10
12 – Chelsea's 37-year-old centre-back Thiago Silva won possession 12 times tonight against Lille, the most he's ever done so in a Champions League match, with tonight his 94th appearance in the competition. Rock. pic.twitter.com/UhLL840KzP
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 22, 2022
Silva marshalled the Chelsea backline expertly, never letting Lille get on top of his side. The veteran Brazilian defender used all his experience to negate the influence of Jonathan David, with his numbers even more impressive – seven clearances, six duels won, two blocks, two interceptions. Silva also started the move that ended with Christian Pulisic’s goal via N’Golo Kante.
Antonio Rudiger: 6/10
Rudiger was not in full flow on Tuesday, and apart from a floated pass towards Cesar Azpilicueta, his output on the ball was sub-par. But the German international did his job defensively, making a joint-high seven clearances in the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 6/10
Back in the starting lineup after recovering from a minor injury, Azpilicueta started the game brightly, setting Kai Havertz up for a chance in the third minute. But other than that moment, the Chelsea captain was not in the best touch and was careless in possession at times. He lost the ball 22 times while also facing some tricky moments against Jonathan Bamba.
N’Golo Kante: 8/10
Kante started the game slowly, which was fine because Chelsea still controlled the proceedings. But once the Frenchman found a stable footing, there was no stopping him, as he produced a typically all-action performance.
N'Golo Kante played a Champions League game today.
So that means N'Golo Kante won a Man of the Match award today. pic.twitter.com/it5tFLCB0j
— GOAL (@goal) February 22, 2022
Kante halted Lille’s momentum higher up the pitch and was never shy of taking on the opposition defenders. His driving runs were delightful, and he set Pulisic up with one such push. He has become a wonderfully all-round midfielder.
Mateo Kovacic: 6/10
The usually reliable Kovacic endured a difficult outing on Tuesday, although that was down to a groin injury he sustained early in the game. The Croat played well within himself and did not push forward much before being taken off in the 51st minute, with one eye on the Carabao Cup final later this week.
Marcos Alonso: 6/10
Alonso drew Tuchel’s ire from the touchline after playing several sloppy passes. His passing rate of 65 per cent surely left a lot to be desired, and he did not pose a threat from the left flank either. The closest he came to affecting the proceedings was his shot from close range, which Leo Jardim easily saved.
Hakim Ziyech: 7/10
Chelsea’s in-form attacker was not as influential as he has been lately, but Ziyech still managed to grab an assist, with Havertz nodding in his set-piece delivery. There were a few sloppy passes on show, too, before his substitution. The Moroccan playmaker seemed to have picked up a knock and will be a doubt for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool later this week.
Kai Havertz: 7/10
Kai Havertz’s last three goals for Chelsea:
⚽️ League Cup semi-final
⚽️ Club World Cup final
⚽️ #UCL last-16The man for the big occasion. ? pic.twitter.com/BLsVMUkqGY
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 22, 2022
Installed as a striker in place of the beleaguered Romelu Lukaku, Havertz was instantly an upgrade on the Belgian striker. The German international could have had a hat-trick by the 8th minute if things went his way. But he missed a tricky chance from point-blank range and had an effort saved by Jardim before finally scoring from Hakim Ziyech’s delivery from a corner. A confidence-boosting outing.
Christian Pulisic: 8/10
Deployed in a more advanced role than in the game against Crystal Palace, Pulisic looked at home in his preferred position and carried a significant threat from the left flank. But once he started drifting in towards the central areas, Pulisic looked even more dangerous. He scored a deserved goal shortly after the hour mark.
?? All-time top American goalscorers (group stage to final):
⚽️6⃣ Christian Pulišić
⚽️4⃣ DaMarcus Beasley
⚽️2⃣ Fabian Johnson
⚽️2⃣ Jermaine Jones
⚽️2⃣ Weston McKennie
⚽️2⃣ Jordan Siebatcheu #UCL pic.twitter.com/Ro9GTP84RS— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 22, 2022
SUBSTITUTES
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 6/10
Loftus-Cheek replaced Kovacic early in the second half and continued from where the Croat had left off. And with Kante looking to push forward when given the opportunity, the English international shouldered much of the defensive responsibility, doing so with elan. At the same time, he barely lost the ball, completing all but two of his attempted passes.
Saul Niguez: 6/10
On for Ziyech, Saul was solid in his display off the ball and kept play ticking when in possession. The Spaniard chipped in with a decent performance.
Timo Werner: N/A
Werner replaced Pulisic for the final ten minutes but did not get any opportunities to find the back of the net.
Malang Sarr: N/A
A late introduction, Sarr helped see the game out.
