Chelsea FC 2-0 Lille LIVE! Champions League result, match stream and latest updates today

Chelsea vs Lille - LIVE!

World champions Chelsea return to Champions League action this evening as French champions Lille come to Stamford Bridge.

On paper, a meeting with a side languishing in Ligue 1’s midtable would have been one of the most favourable Thomas Tuchel could have asked for, although Chelsea certainly aren’t without problems themselves.

While the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup have both been added to Tuchel’s list of honours since beating Manchester City in the final of this competition last season, the champions have laboured all too often and simply have not clicked into gear following the big money signing of Romelu Lukaku, who has been dropped to the bench tonight.

Lille, meanwhile, might not have matched their previous exploits either but do have players to hurt anyone, particularly in the shape of striker Jonathan David and Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches.

Follow all of the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog! James Robson, Malik Ouzia and Dan Kilpatrick will all be providing updates.

Chelsea vs Lille latest news

• GOAL! Pulisic nets second on the break

• GOAL! Havertz heads in to cap bright Chelsea start

• TV channel: BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Ultimate

• Chelsea tea news: Lukaku dropped

• Lille team news

FT: Chelsea 2-0 Lille

21:51 , Malik Ouzia

An excellent night’s work for Chelsea, who are firmly in charge heading to France in three weeks’ time.

21:46 , Malik Ouzia

90+1 mins: There are going to be five minutes added...

21:43 , Malik Ouzia

87 mins: Good decision, Hatem. Timo Werner is away from inside his own half on the counter and the Lille substitute doesn’t even bother to see if he can win the ball - as soon as he’s within touching distance he hauls him down and takes a yellow card.

21:42 , Malik Ouzia

86 mins: It’s been another foot-perfect display from Thiago Silva tonight. Like a fine wine, the man.

21:39 , Malik Ouzia

83 mins: It’s taken until now but we’ve got our first yellow card of the night and it’s fully deserved as Loftus-Cheek catches Bamba trying to break.

21:36 , Malik Ouzia

80 mins: Christian Pulisic and Marcos Alonso are the pair who make way. Meanwhile, Hatem Ben Arfa is on for the visitors, with Renato Sanches departing. He’s been decent.

21:34 , Malik Ouzia

78 mins: We’re about to see Timo Werner and Malang Sarr for Chelsea here. No sign of Romelu Lukaku, though...

James Robson is at Stamford Bridge

21:33 , Malik Ouzia

This game has been put to bed - and if Chelsea can keep the score as it is, you have to think their place in the quarter-final is all but secure.

It is too soon to suggest they are back on a roll in Europe, but this could hardly have gone better for Tuchel.

21:29 , Malik Ouzia

72 mins: A hairy moment for the visitors there as Saul delivers low into the middle. Chelsea haven’t got anyone attacking it but Botman isn’t sure and toes anxiously wide of the far corner.

21:28 , Malik Ouzia

71 mins: Thomas Tuchel is going absolutely spare on the touchline. He is still not getting the control he wants at 2-0.

21:25 , Malik Ouzia

68 mins: Were this last season, I’d be saying Lille out to take heart from the fact that an away goal here would really leave the tie in the balance. But of course, we can’t have nice things...

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Lille | Christian Pulisic 63’

21:19 , Malik Ouzia

Big, big goal in the tie!

It’s superb from N’Golo Kante, charging through the midfield, at the back four, and releasing the ball at exactly the right moment to feed Pulisic. He takes two good touches across his man and then lifts a lovely finish over Jardim. Great goal.

James Robson at Stamford Bridge

21:17 , Malik Ouzia

Worrying signs for Chelsea. Kovacic and Ziyech both injured ahead of the Carabao Cup Final. Ziyech tried to run on, but collapsed back to the ground quickly. He looked in a lot of discomfort as he hobbled off the pitch.

21:15 , Malik Ouzia

58 mins: Blow for Chelsea this as Hakim Ziyech, who has been in decent form of late hobbles off, then hobbles back on and sits down again. Saul Niguez is coming on in his place, so looks like Thomas Tuchel wants a bit more control in midfield.

James Robson at Stamford Bridge

21:12 , Malik Ouzia

Chelsea have let Lille back into this. It is still very much in the balance. There are clearly chances there still for Chelsea because they have managed to get through the Lille defence on numerous occasions - but their failure to build on Havertz’ opener has given the visitors real hope.

21:10 , Malik Ouzia

53 mins: Cracking defending this, from Zeki Celik, who keeps his wits about him at the far post to first make sure Ziyech doesn’t have a tap-in from Kante’s cross and then to block Alonso’s follow up.

It looks like he’s done himself some damage making the second block, though, and needs a bit of treatment on his knee.

21:07 , Malik Ouzia

51 mins: Mateo Kovacic is the man replaced and he is moving a little gingerly as he makes his way over to the touchline so perhaps that isn’t a tactical switch at all. The Croatian is straight down the tunnel.

21:05 , Malik Ouzia

49 mins: Thomas Tuchel’s already seen something he doesn’t like because Ruben Loftus-Cheek is stripped just in front of us and is about to come on.

21:02 , Malik Ouzia

46 mins: The tempo hasn’t calmed at all. In 47 seconds, we’ve had two Chelsea attacks and one from Lille. Properly end-to-end.

KICK-OFF!

21:01 , Malik Ouzia

We are back underway...

21:01 , Malik Ouzia

Right then, the teams are on their way back out. Doesn’t look like any changes just yet but given the tempo and that both managers get five subs, it wouldn’t surprise me to see some before too long.

James Robson is at Stamford Bridge

20:46 , Malik Ouzia

A very positive half for Chelsea, but Tuchel will think they have let Lille off the hook. Their superiority should have seen them work Jardim more, but too often they let themselves down in the final third.

It is a story we have seen before.

HT: Chelsea 1-0 Lille

20:45 , Malik Ouzia

Good game, this. Havertz’s early header the difference at the break.

20:43 , Malik Ouzia

44 mins: Into the final couple of minutes of a half that has been played at a proper tempo. Lille have not gone away at all.

20:41 , Malik Ouzia

41 mins: There’s a real weakness in behind Alonso down the Chelsea left and Lille have recognised it, switching the pacy Bamba out to this flank after he started on the left.

This time he’s away and tries to pick out David in the middle but Thiago Silva’s touch takes it into the arms of Mendy instead.

20:38 , Malik Ouzia

38 mins: Thomas Tuchel lets out a cry of frustration as another slick Chelsea attack breaks down on account of Alonso wanting to come back onto his left.

20:35 , Malik Ouzia

35 mins: Lille are really growing into this now. Bamba gets in behind down the right this time and his cross eventually falls to Andre to let fly from range but it’s straight down the throat of Mendy.

20:33 , Malik Ouzia

32 mins: A nice moment a minute ago here as Stamford Bridge stands in applause for London music pioneer Jamal Edwards, who sadly died at the weekend and was a big Chelsea fan.

James Robson at Stamford Bridge...

20:29 , Malik Ouzia

Tuchel is getting frustrated now. There are elements of Chelsea of old here. Well on top, but overplaying it in the final third.

Ziyech should have got a shot off on goal there, but checked inside instead.

20:29 , Malik Ouzia

29 mins: Not much more predictable than Hakim Ziyech wanting to cut back on his left foot, is there?

Kante robs Xeka in the middle of the park, drives forward and slots the Moroccan in but it’s on his right, he tries to shift it and Botman makes the tackle.

20:26 , Malik Ouzia

26 mins: Antonio Rudiger’s played a couple of absolutely outrageous passes already tonight, driven right across the pitch to the right of the Blues attack.

20:23 , Malik Ouzia

23 mins: Remember that stat doing the rounds at the weekend about Romelu Lukaku having just seven touches in 90 minutes at Crystal Palace? Kai Havertz had eight by the 15th minute here - and he was on the scoresheet. Might’ve had a hat-trick, mind.

20:21 , Malik Ouzia

21 mins: Oof, lovely little bit of play from Renato Sanches, who wriggles out of a tight spot and then plays a wonderful ball in behind for Bamba to chase but Mendy is just about out fast enough in the Chelsea goal.

20:19 , Malik Ouzia

18 mins: Ah, the left-wing-back/penalty box poacher. A real feature of Chelsea’s play at their best this season.

Kante floats a cross to the back post and Alonso is there to meet it on the volley but steers it straight at Leo Jardim. Tough chance.

Dan Kilpatrick at Stamford Bridge

20:17 , Malik Ouzia

Lille have quickly dampened expectations that this could be another one-sided last-16 tie with a spirited response to Chelsea’s goal. The visitors have caused Chelsea’s back line a couple of uncomfortable moments, with Premier League flop Renato Sanches looking bright on the right wing.

20:16 , Malik Ouzia

16 mins: More terrific football from the home side from deep inside their own half, Pulisic and Havertz combining to send Alonso away from halfway but there’s no one up with him in the middle and Lille clear.

James Robson is at Stamford Bridge

20:14 , Malik Ouzia

It has been a brilliant start for Chelsea - and Havertz has been key to it. Yes he should have taken his earlier chance, but he followed that up by forcing a really good save and scoring the opener from the resulting corner.

Chelsea look livelier than they have in a long time and the forward line looks full of movement.

20:11 , Malik Ouzia

11 mins: Good response from the visitors. Celik gets in behind down the right and Silva has to head over his own bar to deny David a chance.

Then, Lille work the corner short and Sanches’ delivery is sliced behind by Rudiger, who is very happy to see the ball land on the roof on Mendy’s net.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Lille | Kai Havertz 8’

20:07 , Malik Ouzia

Lift-off!

Kai Havertz is at the centre of everything and goes close again with a decent low curler that Jardim does well to palm round the post.

But it doesn’t matter, because from the resulting corner Ziyech delivers and the German is there to head down into the ground and up into the net.

James Robson is at Stamford Bridge

20:05 , Malik Ouzia

That was a bad miss from Havertz. Dare I say it, but that’s precisely the type of service Lukaku has been crying out for?

20:04 , Malik Ouzia

4 mins: Massive chance!

How has Kai Havertz missed this?

Azpilicueta from that wing-back position on the right delivers a brilliant low cross. Havertz gets beyond his man and makes good contact four yards out but steers over the bar. He was stretching slightly, but that has to go in.

20:03 , Malik Ouzia

3 mins: Things have started at a really nice tempo here, both sides looking to shift it quickly, probably revved up by what is a cracking atmosphere.

KICK-OFF!

20:00 , Malik Ouzia

We are underway at Stamford Bridge...

19:55 , Malik Ouzia

Covid protocols and the size of the permitted subs benches mean that not all of the Lille replacements can actually fit in the dugout along with the coaching staff.

Hatem Ben Arfa does not look best pleased at having to sit in the regular seats behind.

19:53 , Malik Ouzia

Right then, the stage is set, the teams are in the tunnel.

Almost showtime...

James Robson at Stamford Bridge

19:50 , Malik Ouzia

This team looks as balanced as Tuchel has named in some time. There is a strong argument to say Havertz should lead the line in the Champions League at least.

His best performances have come through the centre - and it also gives the chance to play more naturally wide players either side of him.

Of course that means no Lukaku - and when you pay £97.5million on a striker, it is remarkable to think he can’t get in the starting XI. But Chelsea simply haven’t found the way to exploit his talents - and Tuchel’s priority is to defend the Champions League.

19:49 , Malik Ouzia

That prompts a round of “We’ve won it all” from the home fans but the Lille corner of the Bridge are more than holding their own. They are very loud and have just belted out La Marseillaise before letting off a huge BANG! of some pyrotechnic or other.

19:46 , Malik Ouzia

Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi are all missing through injury tonight and that leaves them free to parade the Club World Cup trophy on the pitch ahead of kick-off - and they’ve just been nailed by the sprinklers.

Dan Kilpatrick at Stamford Bridge...

19:42 , Malik Ouzia

Thomas Tuchel may be blaming tiredness but Romelu Lukaku’s omission from the XI comes after he record a record low seven touches against Crystal Palace at the weekend, and is surely as much about form as fatigue. Tuchel’s decision to drop the club’s record signing will only increase the suggestions that Lukaku and this Chelsea side just don’t fit together.

James Robson is at Stamford Bridge...

19:33 , Malik Ouzia

Lille team news

19:30 , Malik Ouzia

As for Lille, there are a couple of names that’ll be familiar to Premier League watchers, including a 38-year-old Jose Fonte at centre-back and Renato Sanches, who has of course excelled at international tournaments for Portugal - less so in his brief stint at Swansea.

And there’ll be plenty of eyes on Canadian forward Jonathan David, who has been linked with several top-flight English sides, including Arsenal.

Lukaku dropped

19:20 , Malik Ouzia

So, the big news from the Chelsea lineup is that Romelu Lukaku is dropped to the bench after his anonymous performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Kai Havertz will likely play centrally instead as Thomas Tuchel makes three further changes and reverts to his preferred wing-back system.

Mateo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso also come in, while Mason Mount is back among the substitutes.

A big night of action across the continent

19:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

Confirmed Lillie XI

19:07 , Jonathan Gorrie

Confirmed Chelsea XI: No Lukaku

19:07 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea vs Lille the tactics

18:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

Why Romelu Lukaku, Jorginho and Hakim Ziyech will be crucial to Chelsea’s chances tonight.

You can read our full tactical analysis here.

Chelsea’s gameplan?

18:27 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea’s defence of their European crown starts for real tonight, with the unavoidable question hanging over Thomas Tuchel’s side: can they do it again?

Last year’s remarkable Champions League triumph was enough to confirm that anything is possible in club football’s biggest competition.

You can read James Robson’s full article here.

Prediction

18:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea have slipped off the pace at the top of the Premier League but they continue to excel in cup competitions and are among the favourites to win the Champions League again, especially if Tuchel can figure out how to get more regular goals out of Romelu Lukaku.

Lille have endured a difficult defence to their title in France and the Blues should have too much for a team that is down in 11th in Ligue 1.

Chelsea to win 2-0.

Early Chelsea team news

17:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta should be available for Chelsea this evening after he missed Saturday’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace through injury.

Mason Mount is pushing to be fit for the Carabao Cup Final but the Lille game is likely to come too soon for him as he recovers from an ankle injury, though he did return to team training on Monday.

How to watch

17:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s contest will be televised live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Ultimate, with coverage beginning at 7pm.

Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will also be able to watch the action unfold online via the website or BT Sport app.

Live coverage: You can follow all the action as it happens with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.

Welcome

17:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE match coverage of Chelsea’s meeting with Lille in the Champions League this evening.

Kick-off from Stamford Bridge is at 8pm GMT.