Lille were champing at the bit from the off and they were finally rewarded for their persistence after Jorginho was adjudged to have handled the ball, following a VAR review. Burak Yilmaz duly dispatched the penalty in the 38th minute, but the French side could not take the lead into the break as Christian Pulisic fired home a matter of seconds before the half-time whistle.

That goal may have ripped up Jocelyn Gourvennec's team talk, but it won't have done much to change Thomas Tuchel's need to read the riot act to his men, who looked beleaguered and well off the pace.

A thumping header from Xeka that cannoned off the post with the goal gaping in the 63rd minute seemed a pivotal moment, and so it proved when the French champions were punished by way of Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta coming in at Leonardo's back post in minute 71.

It was far from a classic, but Thomas Tuchel and his men can be happy they overcame a stern test in the face of adversity. Up next for the Pensioners is a trip to the Riverside for a FA Cup quarter final with added needle against Middlesbrough. Until then, here's how Absolute Chelsea rated the Blues' performance against Lille...

Edouard Mendy - 6/10

Questionable distribution from the Senegalese giant early doors, but shook it off with time. Never stood a chance at saving Yilmaz's spot kick. Unable to keep his 6th clean sheet of the season.

Andreas Christensen - 5 [32]

Incredibly sloppy showing from the Dane, who seemed nervous and never really comfortable. His withdrawal through injury rather spared his blushes, as did his replacement picking up where he left off.

Thiago Silva - 6

His vital block to stop a goalbound Burak Yilmaz effort just minutes into the game was very important in hindsight - another demonstration of his second to none defensive awareness and positioning.

Antonio Rüdiger - 6

A fairly quiet day at the office by the German's standards. Certainly did not stop to exhibit the same amount of tomfoolery he indulged in during the win over Newcastle this past weekend. The former AS Roma man had to be at full concentration to deal with fluid French play.

César Azpilicueta - 7

The captain led from the front, popping up when it mattered most to all but put the tie to bed. That late surge into the box is something he has mastered and refined over the course of his nine years at the club, and he still has it in his locker despite his advancing years and waning pace.

Jorginho - 6 [72] 

The UEFA Men's Player of the Year was to be blamed for the opening goal but proved that he can make it up to our exceptation with a wounderful pass to Christian Pulisic for the equalizer. Also made relevant fouls and tackles.

N'Golo Kanté - 6

The french played not as excepted but covered many areas, made interceptions and tackles .

Mateo Kovacic - 6 [45]

He kept the midfield productive and alive. Stopped lille's deliveries.

Marcos Alonso - 6

The Chelsea left flank was virtually non-existent going forward in the 1st half make some crosses into the box and defended very well.

Christian Pulisic - 7 [72]

The American wasn't overly involved - indeed, he had the least touches of anyone who started.

Threaten the defense when needed and scored for Chelsea the equalizer.

Kai Havertz - 6 [83]

Cut an incredibly isolated figure up front until reinforcements arrived late on. Still, the German worked incredibly hard with what little he had to work with, oozing confidence on the ball.

Bench:

Trevoh Chalobah - 4 [32]

It's been a tough spell for 'Trev' of late and a couple of silly fouls not long after his introduction - including one that led to the Lille goal - set a similar stall out for the evening.

Mason Mount - 7 [45]

His introduction - and the tactical tweak to go with it - was the impetus Chelsea needed to crack on. Peach of an assist for the winner.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 4 [72]

Romelu Lukaku - 4 [72] Made fews touches and threaten the lille's defense a little. 

Hakim Ziyech - Little impact in the pitch although time was no longer on his side [83]