It was Lille up against Chelsea yesterday in the second game of group H in the UEFA champions league and it wasn't a good result for the host as they were stunned by willian stunner in the 77 minutes after Victor Osimhen had cancelled out Tammy Abraham lead in the first half. The game was very important for the Blues yesterday because they lost their first game to Valencia in their opening game at home and in the hope of making it out of the group to the next stage of the competition, they really know how vital it is to get the maximum point at Lille.
Lille also needs the match just like their opponent because their first game against Ajax didn't went well and with the result in yesterday game means the club are yet to secure any points in that group and they occupied the 4th position while Ajax remains at the top of the group after winning comfortably against Valencia in Spain and both Valencia and Chelsea occupies the 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
Frank Lampard again named 4 young players to his line up with 19 years old Reece James starting in the game while America star man Pulisic was not even part of the selected player that travelled to France. Lampard lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, probably the second time he will be using this type of formation in other to provide more stability to the backline and to also boost the team attacking force upfront with the use of wing back. The manager this season has already turned the club to a place where the academy graduates have the chance to sell their talent to the world and is very happy they are doing pretty good but yesterday game was more than talent as Brazilian star Willian shows while experience is still very much needed in the team.
Both clubs started the game very well but despite the fact that Chelsea took control of the match, Lille were so desperate and provided more threat in the Blues box but Kepa was fully in the game as he made two wonderful saves to denied Lille. It was yet another night to remember for Chelsea young forward Tammy Abraham as he put the team ahead in the 22 minutes to mark his 22nd birthday, the player this season has been spectacular by proving while he deserve to be the team first choice striker by taking his goal tally to 8 goals in all competition this season. He was well connected with Tomori brilliant cross before shooting the ball to the bottom right corner of the post.
Lille get back into the game from Victor Osimhen wonderful headed in the 33 minutes after Kepa had denied Luis Arajo from scoring. Nigeria international player Osimhen rise above Zouma and Tomori to power in a corner to make it 1-1, this is another great man doing pretty well for Lille after the club had sell Pepe to Arsenal in the summer transfer. Osimhen joined the club as a replacement for the Ivory Coast man. The pressure continues for Chelsea who really need a win to keep their hope alive in the group but got another chance to lead again before the half time when Jorginho shot hit the woodwork.
The second half begins and both clubs continue to create some chances to score, Osimhen had another chance to put Lille ahead but his effort went wide. Lampard made his first substition in the game in what look like a tactical substitution when Hudson-Odoi came in for 19 years old James Reece in the 67 minutes and the young winger was a super substitution providing the assist for Willian in the 77 minutes to put the team ahead. With the scoreline, Lille remains at the bottom of the group H while Chelsea are 3rd with 3 points together with Valencia.
