Chelsea Defeat Lille in Frank Lampard’s First Champions League win As Manager

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Willian’s wonderful late volley handed Frank Lampard his first Champions League victory as a manager as Chelsea beat Lille 2-1 on Wednesday.

Frank Lampard handed 19-year-old Reece James his Champions League debut in a youthful Chelsea side that made an encouraging start in the hostile surroundings of the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, where the closed roof ramped up the atmosphere.

Mason Mount had the Blues’ first opportunity, bringing a clearance under control on the edge of the area on 17 minutes, but his finish left much to be desired as he volleyed well wide of the target.

But Lampard’s faith in youth was rewarded soon after thanks to a birthday goal from Abraham, gift-wrapped by his academy team-mate Fikayo Tomori, as a defence-splitting pass found the 22-year-old in space in the box, and he controlled, swivelled and fired into the far corner.

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Chelsea’s inexperience at Champions League level saw them lose control of the game, and their lead lasted just 11 minutes as Lille dangerman Osimhen was given the freedom of the penalty box to head his seventh goal of the season beyond Kepa.

But Chelsea managed to wrestle back the initiative and were unfortunate not to restore their lead before the break as Jorginho’s first-time curler from James’ cutback rattled the frame of the Lille goal in the final minute of the first period.

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With the game there for the taking, both sides readily exchanged blows after the break. Tomori headed a Willian corner over within four minutes of the restart before Benjamin Andre’s glancing near-post header from a corner drew a fine fingertip save from Kepa.

After Lampard introduced Hudson-Odoi, Osimhen spurned a glorious chance to double his and Lille’s tally when he selfishly went alone after being played into space down the right channel and blazed over at the near post instead of squaring for a team-mate in space.

But the night belonged to Chelsea as Willian marked his 300th appearance for the club with a stunning volley from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross to get Lampard’s side off the mark in Champions League Group H.

Samson Oyedeyi