Thomas Tuchel delighted that the real N'Golo Kante 'stepped up' in Champions League victory over Lille

Thomas Tuchel was delighted with an improved performance from N'Golo Kante in Chelsea's comfortable 2-0 win over Lille in the Champions League last-16 first leg, The Chelsea midfielder impressed against the Ligue 1 champions and helped the Champions League holders keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge. Ad/> Tuchel admitted he did not feel Kante was playing at his highest level in recent matches, but delivered a great performance against Lille. Champions LeagueTuchel: Not the time to laugh about Lukaku's seven touches against PalaceYESTERDAY AT 16:50 «I was pleased with Kante,» he told BT Sport after the match.

«It was not the real N’Golo in recent matches. He struggled a bit with his belief and in his intensity and in his game in general. »It was good that he stepped up today.

He is our gamechanger and I am very happy with him and the team." /> Tuchel was also pleased his side kept a clean sheet and felt his side deserved the victory. «Yet another clean sheet and a deserved clean sheet,» he said. «It was hard work to not allow chances.

They were a strong team and in the game it was a little bit up and down. We had some very good moments, some a bit weaker. Some unforced errors where we sometimes suffered.

»But we never gave away big chances and we were solid. It was hard teamwork and it was a tough game but a deserved win." Havertz, Pulisic score as Chelsea ease past Lille in last-16 first leg UEFA 'almost certain' to move Champions League final away from St Petersburg — reports Mateo Kovacic was substituted in the 51st minute with an injury, while Hakim Ziyech also had to be withdrawn on the hour mark. /> Tuchel hopes both will be fit in time for Chelsea's League Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.