Home advantage secures win for Chelsea against Lille, in opening 1st leg

Chelsea currently have the lead in the two legged tie with Lille, following their 2-0 win on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge. The game ended 2-0, as Chelsea, who were 2nd position in the group stage into the game, with 13 points; the visitors, for their part, occupied 1st position in Group G, with 11 points. This result leaves The Pensioners with work to do for the return fixture. It’s all to play for as both sides still hope to advance to the next stage of the European Championship.

Chelsea started strongly in the first half, with Kai Havertz finding the net, at 8 minutes and seeing the first half out 1-0.

The Blues continued to apply pressure in the second and were rewarded, thanks to Christian Pulisic finding the net, 63 minutes in, leaving the final score at 2-0.

For Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Saul Niguez, Timo Werner and Malang Sarr, came on for Mateo Kovacic, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Marcos Alonso. Lille replaced Burak Yilmaz, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Hatem Ben Arfa and Edon Zhegrova with Amadou Mvom Onana, Tiago Djalo, Renato Sanches and Jonathan David.

There were bookings for Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea. For Lille, Hatem Ben Arfa saw yellow.

This will be a very well received result for, on the back of a dismal draw in the first leg. It sets the stage for them well as they now move forward to the next stage of the Champions League.