UEFA Champions League: Chelsea beat Lille 2-0 in 1st leg of Round of 16 tie

A goal each in either side of half-time helped the defending champions Chelsea beat Lille 2-0 in Champions League's last 16 match on Tuesday night.

Chelsea made a superb start in the high octane clash at Stamford Bridge when Kai Havertz headed Hakim Ziyech's cross home in the 8th minute.

A spirited Lille tried to score the equaliser multiple times but failed to go through Chelsea's defensive wall as the first half ended with the scoreline 1-0 in favour of the English club.

Like the first half, both sides started after the break with an aggressive approach.

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And this time too Chelsea got better of the French club as Christian Pulisic made a curling finish after N'Golo Kante's pinpoint pass in the 63rd minute.

Chelsea would be satisfied with a two-goal advantage to Lille for the second leg on March 16. However, they will be anxious about the fitness of key midfielder Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech, who both went off limping early in the second half.