Chelsea qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory at Lille.
Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta struck in response to a first-half Burak Yilmaz penalty to secure a comfortable win on aggregate.
The job was ultimately done in the first leg at Stamford Bridge but Lille did just enough to test the Blues in the fiery Stade Pierre Mauroy cauldron.
James Robson was on location to rate the Chelsea players...
Edouard Mendy - 6
Handling was not too impressive when dealing with the first-half free-kick that led to Lille’s penalty. Lucky to see Xeka’s second-half header come back off the post.
Andreas Christensen - 5
Was given a tough time by Jonathan David in the time he was on the pitch. His injury will be a serious concern for Thomas Tuchel in a campaign that has been disrupted by fitness problems.
Thiago Silva - 6
Tried to calm Chelsea’s defence, but could not help assert authority from set-pieces, which caused problems for much of the night.
The captain delivers! 💪
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 16, 2022
You can decide if César Azpilicueta meant this one, but Chelsea won't care either way 😅
Ahead on the night and 4-1 up on aggregate... #UCL pic.twitter.com/6bbdcvOBtB
Antonio Rudiger - 7
Lille’s aggressive forward play and pressure had even him battling to keep up with their intensity. Some important blocks were required.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7
It was his goal – off his knee – that ultimately killed the tie. So impressive to see him charging towards the far-post at that stage of an exhausting game.
N’Golo Kante - 7
Snapped into challenges to try to slow the onslaught of Lille’s press. Broke the lines with some key runs to ease the pressure.
Jorginho - 7
Handled in the box to gift Lille a way into the tie. But his beautifully disguised pass created Pulisic’s equaliser. A moment of class.
Mateo Kovacic - 6
His runs from midfield stretched Lille on the rare occasions Chelsea managed to get forward in the first-half. Perhaps unfortunate to be the one to make way for the change in formation.
Marcos Alonso - 6
Worked his socks off as Lille appeared to target his side in the second-half. Still, he could not stop them overloading at times.
Chelsea have their two-goal lead back! 🙌
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 16, 2022
A stunning pass from Jorginho allows Christian Pulisic to slot the ball home just before the break 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/aE1LNOq1di
Christian Pulisic - 7
A finish of real quality sent Chelsea into the break level on the night. Some clever and direct runs stretched Lille’s defence.
Kai Havertz - 6
No goal on this occasion – but still an important contribution with his tireless running to try and occupy Lille’s defenders.
Substitutes
Trevoh Chalobah (Christensen, 33’) - 5
Booked within a minute of coming on when given the runaround by David to concede the free kick that led to Lille’s penalty. Struggled to handle Yilmaz.
Mason Mount (Kovacic, 46’) - 6
His cross set up Azpilicueta’s all-important goal. Chelsea’s shape looked better with him in it.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jorginho, 73’) - 5
With the game won, he was brought on to see it out and managed that.
Romelu Lukaku (Pulisic, 74’) - 5
A useful distraction for Lille’s defenders, who had put so much effort into the game.
