Chelsea victorious in battle of the young guns

Tammy Abraham grabbed a birthday goal and Willian marked his 300th Chelsea appearance with the second as the Blues won 2-1 in Lille.

Abraham scored his first Champions League goal before Lille equalised through their own exciting young striker, Victor Osimhen.

But Willian’s late volley secured a crucial first three points for Frank Lampard’s side in Group H.

Lampard had played down the significance of this match but after dropping all three points to Valencia at home two weeks ago, and with a trip to Ajax next up, the margin for error would have got a lot smaller without a victory.

Much has been made of Chelsea’s lack of experience – Lampard had four academy graduates in his side – but Lille had an average age of less than 24.

Abraham celebrated his 22nd birthday with a goal in the 22nd minute after Fikayo Tomori launched a ball into the area where Abraham, just onside, was able to control the ball, spin and place it beyond Lille keeper Mike Maignan. The equaliser came from a corner when Osimhen was left unmarked and headed home at the far post.

Chelsea pressed for a second before half-time but Marcos Alonso curled a free-kick too high and headed a Mason Mount cross over before Jorginho’s effort clipped the outside of a post.

The Blues were almost undone at another corner after the break, Benjamin Andre in yards of space when he glanced a header just wide.

However, when substitute Callum Hudson-odoi got free down the left and lifted the ball to the far post, Willian volleyed down into the ground and in.