(Watch Highlights) Chelsea secure 2-0 win over Lille as Tuchel provides injury updates on Kovacic, Ziyech

Chelsea coasted home to a comfortable 2-0 lead with a professional performance, a routine win to take with them to France for the second leg in three weeks time.

Goals in either half from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic have the European champions with one foot in the quarter-finals, and it’s now on to the League Cup final on Sunday.

Havertz headed the Blues in front unmarked after just eight minutes before Pulisic scored a second after a brilliant run from N’Golo Kante.

Out-of-sorts striker Romelu Lukaku was only a substitute, with Havertz the main attacking threat – and the German almost scoring twice before his early strike.

Chelsea had few alarms against a spirited Lille side, with their composed and professional performance summed up by the quality shown by veteran defender Thiago Silva and outstanding midfield man Kante.

Silva made a mockery of his 37 years with a peerless performance, spending most of the night in cruise control, displaying experience and perfect positioning to snuff out any moments of danger.

The Brazilian also has a turn of pace when required and is such a consummate performer that he is a cult figure among Chelsea fans, who chanted his name throughout. Silva is a defender and leader of the highest class, who appears to improve with age.

A further bonus for boss Tuchel was the return of Kante to prime form, plugging gaps and starting attacks all over the pitch – perpetual motion at all times and a crucial component in his side’s engine room.

There was no better illustration of what Kante brings to Chelsea than the surging run and perfect pass to Pulisic, that allowed the forward to lift a finish over the onrushing Lille keeper Leo Jardim for a second goal that may yet prove decisive in pursuit of a place in the last eight.

The only negatives on a good night for Chelsea and manager Thomas Tuchel were injuries to Ziyech and midfielder Mateo Kovacic ahead of Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley.

“I should have subbed Mateo at half-time,” Tuchel told BT Sport.

“I have not spoken to the doctor about Hakim and hope it is not serious. Today is Tuesday, there are a lot of days to recover until Sunday. I hope they will be ready for Sunday.”

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