Kai Havertz and Christian Pulišić struck the goals in either half as the hosts put themselves in a strong position to progress.
Kai Havertz and Christian Pulišić were on target as Chelsea overcame LOSC 2-0 in this UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg.
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Fresh from winning the FIFA Club World Cup a week ago, Chelsea started authoritatively and Havertz could have had a hat-trick inside eight minutes. The German striker, who fired his first chance over and was then denied by Leo Jardim, took his third opportunity with a downward header from Hakim Ziyech’s corner.
Jardim then saved from Marcos Alonso before the visitors established a foothold in the game, though they only had Edouard Mendy’s save from Benjamin André’s 36th-minute effort to show for their improvement before the break.
Thomas Tuchel’s men wrested control back after the interval and Zeki Çelik’s block from Alonso could only temporarily stem the tide. The second goal finally arrived in the 63rd minute thanks to a wonderful driving run through the centre from N’Golo Kanté, who slipped in Pulišić to place his finish inside the far post.
LOSC avoided further damage, but Jocelyn Gourvennec will know that his side need to show more potency up front if they are to have any hope of turning the tide in the return on 16 March.
Edouard Mendy has now kept 14 clean sheets in 18 Champions League appearances .
Chelsea have conceded just one goal in their last nine Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea have won their last six home Champions League games, all without conceding a goal (F15 A0).
Chelsea midfielder Kanté is named Player of the Match. The UEFA Techinical Observers said: “He was everywhere from start to finish, recovering the ball, winning one-on-ones and then setting up Pulišić for the second goal. An outstanding game played at high intensity.”
LOSC forward Jonathan David said ,”They’re the reigning Champions League winners, a quality team, and we knew it would be difficult. They scored when they had chances. We lacked a little quality in the final ball and that cost us. When you make mistakes at the top level, you pay for it dearly. That’s what happened.”
LOSC coach: Jocelyn Gourvennec said ,”Of course we’re disappointed to lose by a two-goal margin. We conceded avoidable goals. We weren’t beaten by some moments of magic, but from a corner and a nicely played counterattack. I think it’s harsh given what we produced.”
Chelsea forward Kai Havertz said ,”We knew it was a difficult game. They played very good football and the first half was very difficult for us. We have a lot of good strikers so it’s good to have a change and not make it easy for our opponent. We didn’t play our best. We could not get our usual aggressiveness, but we won 2-0.”
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel said,”We have another clean sheet and a well-deserved one. It was hard not to allow chances as they were a strong team. It was a bit up and down, but we never gave big chances away and were solid.”
The gaffer on last night's #UCL win on home soil! 💪
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 23, 2022
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